Ugandan Human Rights Defender Agather Atuhaire has been released after being held in Tanzania, a day after activist Boniface Mwangi was also freed.

Atuhaire, was Thursday evening dumped near Uganda’s Mutukula Border, her family and lawyers confirmed.

“Agather is on her way home. She was dumped at the Mutukula Boda last night – we spoke a little while ago,” he said.

Atuhaire, an activist with Agora Discourse, was arrested alongside Mwangi after their presence in Tanzania was queried.

 

The two were in the country to attend the trial of leading Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu.

 

Mwangi was yesterday dumped by Tanzanian authorities in Ukunda, south of Mombasa.

 

He reported being in pain as a result of torture by Tanzanian security personnel and expressed concern about the fate of Atuhaire, whose whereabouts had remained unknown.

 

“I have gone through four dark days, I have been tortured very badly, I can barely walk, but I am very concerned about Agather because we were tortured together and they did very horrible things to us,” he told journalists.

The arrests have drawn international attention and criticism, with human rights organisations calling for respect for activists’ rights.

Earlier in the week, President Suluhu warned foreign activists against interfering in Tanzania’s internal affairs.

 

Both Agather and Mwangi were in Tanzania to observe Lissu’s trial, which has been a focal point for discussions on political freedom and human rights in the region. Lissu, a prominent opposition figure, faces treason charges related to a speech he made in April.

 

However, they were unable to fulfil their agenda after being apprehended and detained in the neighbouring country for four days, before their release following numerous calls by Kenyans and fellow activists.