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Two well-known human rights activists, one from Kenya and the other from Uganda, have come forward with serious allegations against Tanzianian security forces. Boniface Mwangi from Kenya and Agather Atuhaire from Uganda say they were detained and sexually assaulted by Tanzanian security officers during a recent visit to the country.
The activists traveled to Tanzania last month to attend the first court hearing of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges. However, after arriving in Dar es Salaam, they were arrested by local authorities. The Tanzanian government has not explained why they were detained.
According to Mwangi and Atuhaire, they were taken from their hotel by plain-clothed officers, blindfolded, and transported to an unknown location. There, they say, they were questioned, stripped, and sexually assaulted.
At a press conference held in Nairobi on Monday, Mwangi broke down in tears as he described his experience. He said he was blindfolded and interrogated about the location of his phone and laptop. During the questioning, he claims the officers stripped him naked, took photos, and assaulted him.
Atuhaire gave a similar account. She said she was tied up, blindfolded, and assaulted as well. Both activists say the abuse was humiliating and deeply traumatic.
After the assault, they were taken near the borders of Kenya and Uganda and left to return to their home countries. Neither Tanzania’s police, government officials, nor its foreign ministry have responded to requests for comment about these allegations. Officials from the Kenyan and Ugandan governments have also not made any public statements.
Their arrest came just days after Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan made a public warning. On May 19, the day the activists were detained, she cautioned foreign activists against “invading and interfering in our affairs.” Although she did not name anyone specifically, her comments came amid growing concerns over Tanzania’s political climate.
The opposition leader Mwangi and Atuhaire had gone to support, Tundu Lissu, is currently facing treason charges. Authorities claim he gave a speech encouraging people to rise up and disrupt the country’s upcoming October elections. Lissu previously ran for president and finished second in the last general election.
President Hassan took office in 2021 after the sudden death of her predecessor. At first, she was praised for easing restrictions and allowing more political freedom. However, in recent months, her government has been accused of cracking down on political opponents. There have been reports of arrests, abductions, and intimidation targeting opposition figures and critics.
Though President Hassan has publicly stated that her government respects human rights, critics say her actions tell a different story. Last year, she ordered an investigation into reports of abductions, but many believe little has been done to hold security forces accountable.
The claims made by Mwangi and Atuhaire have added new pressure on Tanzania’s government to explain its actions and protect the rights of activists and opposition members. Human rights groups across the region are now calling for independent investigations into the activists’ treatment.
The situation raises serious questions about the safety of activists in East Africa, especially those speaking out against powerful governments. For now, Mwangi and Atuhaire are back home, but the trauma of their experience—and their demand for justice—continues to echo.