The United States government has called for investigations into the allegations of human rights abuses involving activists Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire at the hands of the Tanzanian authorities.
In a statement through its Bureau of African Affairs, the United States appealed to all countries in the region to hold those culpable to account.
“The United States is deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment in Tanzania of two East African activists – Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi. Atuhaire was recognized by the US State Department in 2024 as an International Women of Courage Awardee,” the US Bureau said.
“We call for an immediate and full investigation into the allegations of human rights abuses. We urge all countries in the region to hold to account those responsible for violating human rights, including torture.”
Mwangi and Agather were arrested in Tanzania, where they had gone to show support for opposition leader Tundu Lissu during his court appearance on Monday.
The activists were held incommunicado for nearly a week before resurfacing at various border points. In both accounts, the activists decried torture and violation of their human rights.
“I have gone through four very dark days, I have been tortured very badly, I can barely walk,” Mwangi stated shortly after he was found at the Kenya-Tanzania border in Horohoro.
On her part, Agather, who was found at the Mutukula border between Tanzania and Uganda, narrated how the Tanzanian authorities assaulted her.
“When I get there, the first order is to take off my clothes. Before I did anything, there was someone who hit me on my back and another who violently took off my clothes. They threw me down and handcuffed me. They tried to put a sweater so the injuries on my hands would have been quite severe,” Atuhaire stated.
“There’s one hitting under my feet so badly, the pain was too much and another shoving something in my … so that is rape, by all standards.”
The activists’ treatment has sparked criticism from various leaders, who have accused the Tanzanian government of alleged abuses.
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has already written to various continental organizations, including the African Union, demanding immediate action against Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu’s administration regarding the violation of human rights.
