Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire says she was sexually attacked during her detention in Tanzania last week. Plain clothes officers blindfolded her and beat her before the assault happened, according to her account. She was held with Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi after they traveled to support opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Both activists were found abandoned at their respective country borders on Thursday after days of detention. Atuhaire leads a Uganda-based rights group called Agora Centre for Research.
Mwangi described hearing Atuhaire scream during their time together in custody before guards separated them. He said security forces ordered them to strip and crawl to wash blood from their bodies. The Kenyan activist posted about his experience on social media after returning home safely. President Samia Suluhu Hassan had warned foreign activists not to interfere in Tanzania's political affairs. She spoke against outside groups causing trouble during court proceedings for the opposition leader.
Regional human rights organizations want authorities to investigate the alleged abuse of the two activists. The US State Department expressed deep concern about reports of their mistreatment during detention. American officials noted that Atuhaire received an International Women of Courage Award in 2024 from their government. Kenya formally protested against Tanzania for denying access to Mwangi during his disappearance. Human rights groups across East Africa staged protests demanding that both activists be released from custody.
Mwangi described hearing Atuhaire scream during their time together in custody before guards separated them. He said security forces ordered them to strip and crawl to wash blood from their bodies. The Kenyan activist posted about his experience on social media after returning home safely. President Samia Suluhu Hassan had warned foreign activists not to interfere in Tanzania's political affairs. She spoke against outside groups causing trouble during court proceedings for the opposition leader.
Regional human rights organizations want authorities to investigate the alleged abuse of the two activists. The US State Department expressed deep concern about reports of their mistreatment during detention. American officials noted that Atuhaire received an International Women of Courage Award in 2024 from their government. Kenya formally protested against Tanzania for denying access to Mwangi during his disappearance. Human rights groups across East Africa staged protests demanding that both activists be released from custody.
