Ugandan and Kenyan Activists Allegedly Tortured and Abused in Tanzania Detention

A Ugandan activist was arrested and kept for days in Tanzania. Later, she was found at the border between the two countries. She told the BBC that she was raped while in jail.

Her rights group said she showed signs of torture. Agather Atuhaire said plain-clothed people blindfolded her. They hit her hard, stripped her, and attacked her sexually.

Atuhaire was held without contact in Tanzania with Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi. He was found at the border with Kenya on Thursday.

Tanzania has not spoken about this.

Rights groups want an investigation. The US Department of State said it was very worried about the reports of abuse.

Atuhaire showed the BBC a scar where she had been handcuffed. She said the pain was too much. She screamed so loud that they covered her mouth.

She told the BBC about the rape in detail.

She said she heard Mwangi scream too. Those holding him threatened to cut him.

The two went to Tanzania to support opposition leader Tundu Lissu. He was in court on Monday for treason charges.

Mwangi wrote on X about their ordeal. He said they were tortured and told to strip naked and bathe. They could not walk and had to crawl.

Though they entered Tanzania, they were not allowed to attend the court. Then they were arrested.

On Monday, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan warned that activists from other countries should not cause chaos in Tanzania.

Atuhaire was found left at the border on Thursday night after days in custody. Her rights group posted this on X.

Uganda’s high commissioner to Tanzania said Atuhaire was safe and back with her family.

Mwangi said he heard Atuhaire in pain when they were held together. They were beaten if they tried to talk.

They were taken away in different cars. A "state security" official gave orders to treat them harshly.

Mwangi’s disappearance made people in Kenya worried. His family and groups protested and asked for his release.

Kenya’s government asked Tanzania to let them see Mwangi but Tanzania refused.

Rights groups want an investigation. They want East African countries to respect human rights.

The US Department of State said it was very worried. They noted Atuhaire was given an award in 2024 for courage.

They called for a full probe and for those who hurt people to be punished.