The Pan-African Solidarity Network has condemned the deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania and Uganda, calling for the immediate release of political prisoners and an end to state-sponsored violence.
“We are witnessing unprecedented levels of brutality and repression in East Africa,” said a spokesperson for the network. “The international community must act to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses and support efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the region.”
The network’s statement comes amid reports of widespread human rights abuses in Tanzania and Uganda. According to reports, over 300 individuals have been abducted in Tanzania since March 2021, with many still missing. The judiciary has been compromised, and the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCI) established by President Samia Suluhu Hassan is seen as lacking independence and transparency.
“The PCI has been criticized for its slow pace and lack of transparency, with many victims and their families still waiting for justice,” said a human rights activist in Tanzania. “The commission’s work has been hampered by a lack of resources and political interference, making it difficult to get justice for the victims.”
In Uganda, the network condemns the brutal crackdown on citizens following the January 2026 general elections. Over 2,000 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters, activists, and journalists are currently detained in “safehouses” and military dungeons, subjected to gruesome torture and dehumanizing conditions.
“It’s a reign of terror,” said Dr. Kizza Besigye, the NUP leader. “The regime is using excessive force to quell dissent, with reports of extrajudicial killings, abductions, and enforced disappearances. We are living in a state of fear, where citizens are afraid to speak out against the government.”
The Pan-African Solidarity Network demands the immediate release of Tundu Lissu, Dr. Kizza Besigye, and all political prisoners unconditionally, cease the harassment of NGOs, unfreeze civil society bank accounts, and withdraw repressive laws.
They also call for an independent international investigation into election-related massacres and state-sponsored enforced disappearances, and impose sanctions on leaders responsible for crimes against humanity.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has expressed concern over the human rights situation in Tanzania, calling for an end to arbitrary arrests and detentions.
“The situation in Tanzania and Uganda is a stark reminder of the challenges facing East Africa,” said a spokesperson for the African Commission. “The international community must act to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses and support efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the region.”
The international community has a responsibility to act and address the human rights crisis in Tanzania and Uganda. The people of Tanzania and Uganda deserve to live in dignity and freedom, and it is the responsibility of the international community to support them.
The Pan-African Solidarity Network’s statement has sparked widespread outrage and calls for action. The network’s demands are clear: immediate release of political prisoners, an end to harassment of NGOs, an independent investigation into election-related violence, and targeted sanctions on leaders responsible for crimes against humanity.
The international community must act to address the human rights crisis in Tanzania and Uganda. The people of Tanzania and Uganda deserve to live in dignity and freedom, and it is the responsibility of the international community to support them.
According to the activists, the situation in Tanzania and Uganda is a test of the international community’s commitment to human rights and democracy. They urge the world to act and address the human rights crisis in East Africa and support the people of Tanzania and Uganda in their quest for dignity and freedom.
