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The East African region is reeling from disturbing revelations made by Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire, who allege they were abducted, tortured, and sexually assaulted by Tanzanian security agents during a visit to Dar es Salaam in May 2025. The allegations, described by Mwangi as “sexual torture,” have ignited international outrage and intensified scrutiny of the Tanzanian government’s crackdown on dissent.
Chilling Ordeal in Tanzania
Mwangi and Atuhaire had traveled to Tanzania’s commercial capital to observe the high-profile treason trial of opposition figure Tundu Lissu. Their visit was meant to be peaceful and supportive, but it quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal.
According to their statements, the two were abducted from their hotel by armed plainclothes officers. They were blindfolded, interrogated separately, and taken to an unknown location where they were physically assaulted and subjected to degrading treatment. Mwangi recounted that they were stripped naked, sexually assaulted, and that their captors took photos of them during the abuse actions he termed “sexual torture.”
In an emotional post shared on social media after his release, Mwangi wrote: “I was struggling to stay alive.” Atuhaire similarly recounted that her interrogators attempted to extract false confessions under threats of prolonged detention and violence.
After days of abuse, the pair were forcibly deported Mwangi was dumped near the Kenyan border, while Atuhaire was left near the Ugandan border.
Silence from Tanzanian Authorities
As of early June, the Tanzanian government has not issued any official response to the accusations. The silence from President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration has been interpreted by many as a refusal to acknowledge or investigate the serious human rights violations alleged by the two activists.
Repression in the Lead-Up to Elections
These developments occur as Tanzania prepares for general elections in October 2025. Civil society organizations have expressed growing alarm over shrinking political space, suppression of opposition figures, and transnational repression.
Since President Hassan assumed office in 2021, there were initial signs of openness. But in recent months, activists, opposition leaders, and even religious figures have been targeted for criticizing the government. The recent closure of the Glory of Christ Church led by ruling party lawmaker and outspoken government critic Josephat Gwajima—exemplifies the growing intolerance of dissenting voices.
In another incident earlier this year, Tanzanian activist and media personality Maria Sarungi Tsehai was kidnapped in Nairobi, Kenya, and later released. She believes her abduction was carried out by Tanzanian agents, suggesting a broader regional effort to silence critics even beyond national borders.
International Condemnation
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and several African human rights coalitions have called for an immediate investigation into the treatment of Mwangi and Atuhaire. Amnesty International said in a statement:
“The use of sexual violence and torture as a political weapon is abhorrent and must be condemned in the strongest terms. There must be justice.”
The UN Human Rights Office has also called on Tanzania to respect international conventions against torture and urged the East African Community to ensure member states uphold human rights standards.
A Region on Edge
These revelations place Tanzania under international scrutiny, adding to a broader regional trend of state-backed repression. In Kenya and Uganda, activists and journalists have also reported being followed, threatened, or assaulted for their work.
Boniface Mwangi, known across Africa for his bold activism, declared that despite the trauma, he remains committed to speaking out.
“I will not be silenced. What happened to me and Agather is happening to others. We must expose it,” he said in a press conference.
What’s Next?
With elections looming, many fear the Tanzanian government may double down on silencing critics. However, the global spotlight now shining on Tanzania may pressure the authorities to address these allegations.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has been urged to launch a fact-finding mission, and calls are growing for sanctions on individuals and entities involved in human rights abuses.
For now, Mwangi and Atuhaire continue to seek justice not only for themselves but for others suffering in silence. Their stories serve as a grim reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to demand accountability in East Africa.
