A landmark case has been filed at the East African Court of Justice by human rights defenders Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire, who are accusing Tanzania of abduction, torture and unlawful deportation—and holding the East African Community itself accountable for staying silent.

The case, filed jointly with seven regional civil society groups, faults the governments of Kenya and Uganda, along with the Secretary General of the EAC, for failing to protect their citizens and uphold binding laws when the two activists were abducted in Tanzania in May 2025 and subjected to inhumane treatment.

According to the court papers, Boniface and Agather were lawfully in Dar es Salaam to attend the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu when they were seized from their hotel by unknown individuals and taken to the Immigration Department, then to the Central Police Station.

From there, they were moved without explanation to an undisclosed location.

The two say they were tortured both physically and psychologically, including through sexual violence, before being dumped across borders—Agather in Uganda and Boniface in Kenya.

At no point were they told why they were being held or under what authority they were being deported.

Despite intense media attention and public pressure, the applicants say neither Kenya nor Uganda made any efforts to secure their release or demand accountability from Tanzania.

They also accuse the EAC Secretary General of turning a blind eye, despite the incident clearly violating regional laws and drawing international concern.

“This matter strikes at the heart of what it means to be East African,” said David Sigano, CEO of the East Africa Law Society.

“No citizen should be tortured, disappeared, or deported simply for observing a court trial. The East African Court of Justice must rise to the occasion.”

The Reference lists the Attorneys General of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and the EAC Secretary General as respondents.

The applicants include Boniface, Agather, Agora Centre for Research, Centre for Strategic Litigation, East Africa Law Society, Kenya Human Rights Commission, IDEA, ICJ-Kenya, and the Pan African Lawyers Union.

Boniface Mwangi said the case is about fighting back against impunity.

“What happened to us was evil, and was meant to silence us but we refused to be silenced. We are going to court not only to fight for justice but show the whole world what happened to us in the dark.”

“We hope this case will give more victims of the state the courage to speak up and seek justice. We can’t allow evil to prosper,” he added.

The applicants argue the actions and inaction of the four respondents amount to violations of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and other binding legal standards.

They are demanding a formal apology from the governments of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda; at least one million US dollars in compensation per victim; public condemnation of the abuse by the EAC Secretary General; and institutional reforms to prevent similar violations.

They are also calling for a special EAC Heads of State summit to discuss governance, justice and regional peace.

“This case is not just about two individuals. It is about defending the soul of East Africa – the principles of human dignity, regional integration, and the rule of law,” said Donald Deya, CEO of the Pan African Lawyers Union.

“These violations cannot be ignored. We are demanding accountability and justice at the highest regional level.”