Activist Names Cop in Ugly Reporter Torture Case

Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has named the Tanzanian police officer who hurt journalist Agather Atuhaire. Mwangi says Faustin Mafwele threatened to rape the Ugandan reporter and made the phone call that led to her torture. Mafwele told Atuhaire he would make her pregnant with a daughter because she has two sons. The officer arranged for other security agents to pick them up from the police station. These agents later carried out the sexual attack on Atuhaire.

Atuhaire was found at the Uganda-Tanzania border with clear signs of injury. She told the BBC that guards blindfolded her, removed her clothes, and raped her during detention. Both journalists had traveled to Dar es Salaam to watch the court trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Police arrested them for unclear reasons and denied them access to lawyers. Mwangi was sent back to Kenya earlier and left at the border.

The US State Department expressed deep worry about the sexual violence against Atuhaire. Human rights groups across East Africa want an independent investigation into the rape and torture claims. Atuhaire received an International Women of Courage Award from America last year. She currently receives medical treatment and counseling back home. Officials pressure Uganda and Kenya to increase diplomatic efforts regarding this case.