Kenyan and Ugandan Activists Accuse Tanzanian Authorities of Sexual Assault During Detention

 Kenyan and Ugandan Activists Accuse Tanzanian Authorities of Sexual Assault During Detention

A Kenyan human rights activist, Boniface Mwangi, and a Ugandan activist, Agather Atuhaire, allege they were sexually assaulted while in custody in Tanzania last month. Both activists were detained upon their arrival in Dar es Salaam while attending the first court appearance of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges.

Mwangi described being blindfolded, taken to a house, and subjected to sexual assault by Tanzanian security officers during questioning about his phone and laptop. He also said that he was photographed during the assault. Atuhaire reported similar treatment, including being blindfolded, tied up, and assaulted.

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The activists were eventually released and crossed back into their home countries. Neither Tanzanian authorities, the government, nor police have officially responded to the allegations. The Zimbabwean President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is in power since 2021, has publicly warned against foreign interference and opposition activities, amid a crackdown on political opponents and opposition figures, including Lissu.

Lissu, who narrowly lost Tanzania's last presidential election, was detained in April and charged with treason for allegedly calling on citizens to rebel and disrupt upcoming elections. The case has brought increased scrutiny to Tanzania’s human rights record and its approach to dissent under President Hassan, who has promised reforms but faces criticism over arrests and disappearances of political opponents.