By Ollus Ndomu
Tanzania is facing mounting pressure following grave allegations of sexual assault made by Kenyan photojournalist and activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan rights advocate Agather Atuhaire. The two were arrested in Dar es Salaam last week while attending the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.
Speaking at an emotional press briefing in Nairobi, Mwangi tearfully recounted the ordeal. He alleged that they were abducted from their hotel by Tanzanian security officers, blindfolded, stripped naked, sexually assaulted, and photographed while in custody. “They treated us like criminals, like animals,” Mwangi said. “We were humiliated, degraded, and discarded.”
Atuhaire, who has since returned to Kampala, has also confirmed the abuse, reportedly exhibiting signs of torture, according to human rights organizations in Uganda.
The arrests occurred on the same day President Samia Suluhu Hassan issued a stern warning to foreign activists, stating that Tanzania would not tolerate “interference in our affairs.” The remarks, made at a political gathering, are now being seen by critics as a chilling prelude to the assault.
Despite the severity of the claims and growing condemnation from rights groups across East Africa, the Tanzanian government has yet to issue a formal response. Neither the Ministry of Home Affairs nor the office of the President has acknowledged the allegations, sparking outrage on social media and among civil society leaders.
“The silence from Dar is deafening,” said a spokesperson for the Pan-African Human Rights Watch. “These are not just accusations of arbitrary detention—these are human rights violations of the gravest kind. The region is watching.”
International organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called for an independent investigation into the activists’ detention and treatment. Some analysts say the incident risks straining diplomatic relations between Tanzania and its East African neighbors, especially Kenya and Uganda.
Tundu Lissu’s trial, already controversial, has now become a lightning rod for broader concerns about civil liberties in Tanzania under President Hassan’s administration. Critics accuse the government of reverting to authoritarian tactics in the lead-up to the country’s next general election.
As pressure mounts for transparency and accountability, activists across the region have vowed not to be silenced. “We will not be intimidated,” said Mwangi. “This is not just about us. It’s about every African who believes in freedom, dignity, and justice.”
AfricaWorld Reports will continue to monitor developments and seek comment from Tanzanian authorities.
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