Ugandan activist detained by Tanzania found in 'Bad Condition'

By Mercy Sowek, KAMPALA Uganda

Ugandan journalist and human rights lawyer Agather Atuhaire, who had been detained in Tanzania alongside Kenya's Boniface Mwangi, has been found and is safe.

The activist had been missing for days after her abduction in Tanzania earlier this week. She had been abandoned at the Mutukula border between Uganda and Tanzania, where she was found. 

Mwangi was deported by road by Tanzanian authorities on Thursday before he was found dumped in Ukunda, Kilifi County. In a media address, Mwangi said he had been tortured alongside Agather even as he called for her release.

Activist Hussein Khalid, the CEO of VOCAL Africa, confirmed the release of Agather, explaining that her condition was not good and calling for justice for the activists.

"Tortured, wounded, broken body but determined spirit. Agather has been found. They must pay for what they did to Boniface Mwangi and Agather. Justice must be done and seen to have been done," Khalid said.

Mwangi, after the release, described theordeal as the worst form of torture, alleging that they were threatened with public humiliation if they revealed details of their experience of treatment.

"Everything that happened to us in Tanzania was done in Samia Hassan’s name, and we will ensure the world gets to know. We shall speak for the Tanzanian victims who are too afraid to speak," Mwangi wrote in the statement.

"What Suluhu did to us will be revealed to the world. We shall not be silenced by a torturous dictator who has her foot on the necks of the Tanzanian people," Mwangi said.

Agather and Mwangi were arrested in Dar es Salaam on May 19 while attending the treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

Agather's family confirmed that she was found abandoned near the Mutukula border at night. The circumstances surrounding her release remain unclear, and she has not yet made a public statement.

The arrests have drawn international attention and criticism, with human rights organisations calling for respect for activists' rights.

Earlier in the week, President Hassan warned foreign activists against interfering in Tanzania's internal affairs.

Both Agather and Mwangi were in Tanzania to observe Lissu's trial, which has been a focal point for discussions on political freedom and human rights in the region. Lissu, a prominent opposition figure, faces treason charges related to a speech he made in April.

However, they were unable to fulfil their agenda after being apprehended and detained in the neighbouring country for four days, before their release following numerous calls by Kenyans and fellow activists.