Tanzania denies torture claims by Mwangi and Atuhaire

Tanzania has denied claims that Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire were tortured while in custody, following their arrest by immigration officials in Dar es Salaam.

Speaking to journalists, Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Jumanne Muliro dismissed the torture allegations as personal opinions that should have been submitted through official channels.

“Hayo ni maoni yao, ni mtazamo wao. Kama wanachosema ni hivyo basi waofficiate kwenye mamlaka ya kuzungumza. Yaani mimi naiona ni kama ni mtazamo, ni maoni tu. Wangekuwepo mimi ningehojiana nao,” he said.

Muliro said the two should have raised their concerns directly with Tanzanian authorities instead of making public statements. He added that he would have preferred to speak to the activists in person.

“Nilitamani kama ni yeye ndiye angekuwa akiongea na mimi ili niulize vitu vingi, niwape nafasi nzuri ya kujua anaongea kitu gani. Unaongea kitu kwa niaba ya mtu ambaye baadhi ya maswali ningependa kumwuuliza yeye. Wewe nikikuuliza huwezi kujibu,” he said.

Mwangi and Atuhaire were arrested in Dar es Salaam while attending the court session of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.

They later said they were blindfolded and taken to an unknown location, where they were stripped, sexually assaulted, and interrogated about their phones and laptops. They were later dumped near their respective countries’ borders and made their way back home.

The Tanzanian police response has raised concern, especially given the diplomatic ties between Tanzania and its neighbours. The rejection of the abuse claims by top officials has drawn fresh attention to the treatment of foreigners in Tanzania.

At the same time, Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, defended the recent decision to block the social media platform X. Silaa said the move was aimed at protecting Tanzanians from content that breaches national regulations.

“Content that violates Section 16 of the Online Content Regulations is being removed to protect Tanzanians,” Silaa said.

However, digital rights groups have criticised the decision, saying it limits freedom of expression and denies citizens access to important information.