Tanzanian authorities have come under fire for dismissing serious torture allegations raised by Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire. The two say they were abducted, assaulted and dumped at the border after attending a politically sensitive court hearing in Dar es Salaam—claims police now call baseless opinions.
Highlights:
- Tanzanian police deny torturing Mwangi and Atuhaire, calling the claims personal views.
- Activists allege abduction, sexual assault and illegal deportation after a court visit.
- Police say complaints should have been made officially, not through media.
- Minister Jerry Silaa defends Tanzania’s ban on social media platform X.
- Digital rights groups warn of rising censorship and abuse in Tanzania.
Main Story
Tanzanian officials have denied accusations of mistreatment made by activist Boniface Mwangi and journalist Agather Atuhaire following their recent detention in Dar es Salaam. According to the city’s Special Police Zone Commander, Jumanne Muliro, the claims were not officially reported and were therefore considered mere personal opinions.
Muliro argued that grievances should be presented through official government channels rather than press statements. “Those are their opinions, their perspective. If what they are saying is true, then they should officially report it,” he said.
He added that had the activists spoken to him directly, he could have clarified the situation through detailed questioning—an opportunity he claims was missed because others were speaking on their behalf.
Mwangi and Atuhaire had travelled to Tanzania to witness opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s first court appearance on treason charges. According to their accounts, police blindfolded them, stripped them during interrogation, and sexually assaulted them while questioning them about their digital devices.
They were later abandoned near the borders of Kenya and Uganda and made their way back to their respective countries.
The incident has sparked diplomatic unease and drawn criticism from human rights groups, who have long accused Tanzanian authorities of targeting dissenting voices with force and intimidation.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, has defended the ongoing ban on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), citing violations of the country’s online content regulations.
Silaa stated that the crackdown is aimed at shielding citizens from harmful content, particularly material breaching Section 16 of Tanzania’s online laws. However, digital rights groups argue that such actions limit freedom of expression and reduce access to critical information.
With mounting scrutiny on how Tanzania handles both digital spaces and international visitors, pressure is growing for transparency and accountability from the government.
