DAR ES SALAAM — Tanzanian authorities are under mounting scrutiny following the alleged torture and forcible deportation of two prominent human rights defenders, Agather Atuhaire from Uganda and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi. The pair were detained earlier this week while attempting to observe the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges.
According to Amnesty International, the activists were arrested on 19 May at the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam. They were reportedly taken to an undisclosed location, where they endured physical abuse, including beatings and being stripped naked. Mwangi later claimed that the assault was carried out by individuals believed to be members of the Tanzanian military.
“For four days, these two human rights defenders were subjected to unimaginable cruelty,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. “Their ordeal highlights the dangers faced by human rights defenders in Tanzania, and there must be accountability and justice.”
The activists’ release and subsequent deportation occurred after diplomatic pressure from Kenya and Uganda. Mwangi was found abandoned at a border post between Kenya and Tanzania on 22 May, while Atuhaire was left at the border between Kenya and Uganda on 23 May. Both appeared to have been severely beaten.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has previously warned foreign activists against interfering in Tanzania’s internal affairs, labelling them “foreign agents.” Such statements have raised concerns among human rights organisations, who argue that they provide a pretext for authorities to suppress dissent and restrict freedoms of expression and association.
“Trial observation is central to the transparency of court processes and guarantees of fair trials and is not a threat to security,” Chagutah added. “President Suluhu’s remarks and actions by authorities in Tanzania send a chilling message aimed at further stifling freedom of expression and association.”
The incident underscores a broader pattern of repression in Tanzania as the country approaches its general elections in October 2025. Human rights groups have documented a series of arbitrary arrests, detentions, and alleged disappearances of opposition figures and activists in recent months. These actions have prompted calls for international accountability and a reevaluation of Tanzania’s commitment to democratic principles and human rights.
