Kenyan, Ugandan Activists Report Torture in Tanzania, Human Rights Groups Demand Investigation

Tensions have sharply escalated between Kenya and Tanzania following the detention and mistreatment of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire by Tanzanian authorities. Both activists were held in Dar es Salaam while attempting to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu and have since detailed torture and sexual abuse during their detention. Kenyan human rights coalitions, including the Police Reforms Working Group and the Law Society of Kenya, have condemned these abuses and called on the East African Community and the international community to demand that Tanzania investigate and hold accountable the officers responsible. Amnesty International Kenya highlighted that these actions are part of a broader crackdown on political dissent ahead of Tanzania's upcoming elections, where the main opposition party has been banned. Kenyan political figures have also called for stronger responses, including travel bans on Tanzanian ruling party members and withdrawal from joint regional events, while pressing their own governments to explain and act on the situation. Human rights groups are additionally pushing for regional parliamentary hearings and compensation for the victims to ensure accountability and prevent further abuses in the East African region.