MWE Correspondent
Ugandan journalist and human rights defender Agather Atuhaire has been found near the Mutukula border post in a visibly distressed and injured condition, days after she was arrested while visiting Tanzania.
Atuhaire, a known advocate for civil liberties and accountability across East Africa, had traveled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, to attend the treason trial of Tundu Lissu, a high-profile opposition politician. She was arrested alongside Kenyan photojournalist and activist Boniface Mwangi, sparking widespread regional concern.
Mwangi was deported to Kenya on Thursday and later surfaced in Ukunda, a coastal town in Kilifi County. In a statement released via social media and civil rights group Haki Africa, Mwangi alleged that the two were held without charge, blindfolded, and subjected to physical abuse during their detention.
“She has suffered injuries, but her spirit remains intact,” said Hussein Khalid, Executive Director of VOCAL Africa, one of the organizations monitoring the case. “This is about more than just two people—it’s about the shrinking civic space in the region.”
The Agora Centre for Research and Policy, where Atuhaire serves as director, confirmed her release and said she was receiving medical treatment in Uganda.
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The Tanzanian authorities have not issued an official explanation for the arrests. However, earlier this week, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan made public remarks warning against foreign interference in domestic politics—comments many believe were directed at activists like Atuhaire and Mwangi.
Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017, remains on trial for treason over alleged incitement charges. He has denied the accusations and called the trial politically motivated.
Human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned the treatment of Atuhaire and Mwangi, urging Tanzanian authorities to uphold international human rights standards.
“This kind of treatment of foreign nationals—especially those engaged in peaceful civil society work—sets a dangerous precedent,” said a representative of CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organizations.
The region has seen increasing crackdowns on journalists and political dissenters in recent years, particularly around election cycles. Observers warn that these trends threaten not only democracy in individual countries, but also the stability of the broader East African Community.
