By Jumah Kakomo
A coalition of East African human rights activists is calling on the Tanzanian government to immediately launch a transparent, independent investigation into the recent arrest, torture, and forced repatriation of Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan activist with Agora Discourse, and Boniface Mwangi, a prominent Kenyan activist. The two were detained on May 19, 2025, in Dar es Salaam while attending the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
The activists were reportedly in Tanzania as part of an East African delegation observing court proceedings against Lissu, who faces treason charges at the Kisutu Court. Their arrest sparked regional and international outcry, highlighting growing concerns about cross-border human rights violations in East Africa.
In the days following their arrest, both Mwangi and Atuhaire were held incommunicado. Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi intervened, demanding access to Mwangi after his sudden disappearance. Pressure mounted across the region, with civil society organizations in Uganda and Kenya demanding immediate action.
On May 22, Mwangi was found dumped in Horohoro, a border town in Kenya’s Coast Region, injured and in need of urgent medical care. Atuhaire was released the following morning near Mutukula, along the Tanzania-Uganda border, also exhibiting signs of torture and mistreatment.
Kato Tumusiime, a Ugandan human rights lawyer, condemned the arrests as illegal and politically motivated, stating that the two activists were lawfully in Tanzania as regional observers. He emphasized the increasing trend of cross-border suppression of dissent in East Africa, drawing parallels to past interventions by senior legal figures like Kenya’s Martha Karua in Ugandan political cases.
Gideon Kwikiriza, another human rights activist, described the incident as part of a “coordinated attack on democracy and human dignity” by state actors across the region. He cited a pattern of illegal detentions, transnational abductions, and fabricated charges used to intimidate activists and silence critics.
Denis Yub stressed that although both activists have resurfaced, serious questions remain about their treatment and the broader implications for regional human rights protections. He called for accountability under international human rights laws and the East African Community (EAC) treaty, which Tanzania has ratified.
Activists’ Demands:
Official Apology: A formal public apology from the Tanzanian government acknowledging the unlawful arrest, torture, and degrading treatment of Atuhaire and Mwangi.
Compensation: Full reparations for the physical, psychological, and emotional harm suffered, including costs related to medical care, legal proceedings, and rehabilitation.
EAC Action: Urgent intervention from the EAC Council of Ministers under Article 6(d) of the EAC Treaty to uphold human rights and prevent future abuses. Activists demand a protective mechanism for civil society actors working across borders.
Diplomatic Engagement: A call for the Ugandan and Kenyan governments to demand a full explanation from Tanzanian authorities and establish safeguards against future violations of this nature.
International Oversight: Involvement of global human rights watchdogs, including the United Nations and African Union, to monitor and respond to the situation, ensuring accountability and protection for activists across the region.
The activists insist that the region must not become a hostile environment for human rights defenders. They urge swift regional and international action to uphold justice, human dignity, and the rule of law.
