Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has been released after days of detention in Tanzania, but questions remain over the whereabouts of Ugandan journalist and human rights defender Agather Atuhaire, who was arrested alongside him.
After being deported by road from Dar es Salaam, Boniface Mwangi was discovered in Ukunda, Kwale County, in a weakened state. Those who received him said he was barely able to walk and showed signs of physical distress, raising concerns about the treatment he may have endured while in Tanzanian custody. His family was making arrangements to have him flown to Nairobi for further medical care.
The fate of Ugandan human rights defender Agather Atuhaire however still remains unclear. She was last seen on Monday, May 19th in the custody of plainclothes officers from the Tanzania Police Force, shortly after she arrived in Dar es Salaam to attend the court hearing of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Despite reports that both activists had been deported, Ugandan authorities have confirmed that Agather remains in detention, with no public charges or access to legal support. Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Col. (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, has written a formal letter to Tanzanian authorities requesting permission to visit her and seek clarification on her status and well-being.
Civil society groups across East Africa are now demanding her immediate release and an investigation into the circumstances of her arrest. The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) has described her detention as an “enforced disappearance” and called it a gross violation of human rights and regional agreements under the East African Community (EAC).
“This is no longer just a legal issue, it is a humanitarian and diplomatic concern,” said Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa.
The group further noted that her prolonged disappearance violates both the Tanzanian Constitution and international laws against torture and unlawful detention.
Tanzanian authorities have yet to publicly explain the arrests or provide updates on Agather’s legal status.
