Civil society demands justice after torture of activists in Tanzania
The organizations accused the Tanzanian government of grave human rights abuses and demanded urgent action from regional and international bodies.
Civil society groups in Kenya and Uganda have condemned the detention and torture of activists Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire in Tanzania, calling it a clear sign of rising authoritarianism across East Africa.
In a joint statement, the organisations accused the Tanzanian government of grave human rights abuses and demanded urgent action from regional and international bodies.
The groups said Mwangi and Atuhaire were unlawfully detained, tortured, and humiliated while in the hands of Tanzanian authorities.
“We are witnessing a dangerous escalation in the use of forceful detention, trumped-up charges, abductions, and even killings. These acts are not only unconstitutional—they are crimes against humanity," the statement reads further.
Mwangi was released and found in Ukunda, Kenya, on May 22, while Atuhaire was located a day later at the Uganda-Tanzania border in Mutukula.
Both activists have since blamed Tanzanian authorities for the abuse, with Mwangi holding President Samia Suluhu personally responsible.
The statement further demanded immediate explanations and investigations into the arrest, torture, and detention.
"We demand to know what specific crime they were committing," it stated.
The groups called for the arrest of all Tanzanian officials involved, and an inquest by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to probe similar abuses across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
They also want the East African Community Secretariat to hold an emergency meeting on human rights violations, including representation from the "People’s Jumuiya."
"We call on legal expertise in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to support us in pursuing justice for the two and others like them," they said.
In addition to compensation and a public apology, the groups are demanding that President Suluhu resign and that Tanzanian authorities be held accountable.
They also urged the African Union and global partners to pressure Presidents Yoweri Museveni and William Ruto to address human rights violations in their countries, including the release of opposition leaders Tundu Lissu and Kizza Besigye.
