Kenyan photojournalist and activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan human rights lawyer Agather Atuhaire have filed a petition at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) in Arusha, accusing the Tanzanian government of serious human rights violations. The pair is seeking at least US $1 million each (approx. KES 129 million), a public apology, psychological rehabilitation, and far-reaching institutional reforms
Background
- In May 2025, Mwangi and Atuhaire traveled to Dar es Salaam to observe the treason trial of opposition figure Tundu Lissu
- Between 19 and 23 May, they were allegedly abducted from their hotel, held at the Immigration Department and Central Police Station, then transferred to an undisclosed location .
- They claim to have been blindfolded, severely beaten, and subjected to sexual torture, including being suspended upside down, assaulted with wooden planks, and in Atuhaire’s case, smeared with excrement
Allegations & Aftermath
- Both activists were eventually deported by road, with Mwangi dumped at a Kenyan border (Ukunda) and Atuhaire at Mutukula on the Uganda–Tanzania boundary
- Photographs show Mwangi recovering in Nairobi, wearing foot braces and using crutches—evidence of serious physical trauma
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Legal Claims & Support
- The court filing targets not only Tanzania’s government but also petitions the governments of Kenya and Uganda, along with the Office of the East African Community Secretary‑General, for their alleged failure to protect the activists or enforce diplomatic safeguards
- The suit is backed by seven civil society groups, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission and East Africa Law Society
💬 Activists Speak Out
- Mwangi described their experience as “evil” and “meant to silence us,” yet emphasized their refusal to be silenced, stating:
“We are going to court not only to fight for justice, but to show the world what happened to us in the dark.” - David Sigano, CEO of East Africa Law Society, underscored that “no citizen should be tortured, disappeared, or deported simply for observing a court trial”—a violation of regional values and legal treaties
- Pan African Lawyers Union CEO Donald Deya added that this case is “not just about two individuals” but about “defending the soul of East Africa—the principles of human dignity, regional integration, and the rule of law”
Broader Implications
- Advocates see this move as a bold stand against growing repression in Tanzania, ahead of upcoming elections
- The filing invokes numerous legal frameworks, including the EAC Treaty, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and various international instruments
Next Steps
- The application seeks:
- A public apology from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda;
- KES 129 million (US$1 million) in compensation per activist;
- Psychosocial support and rehabilitation;
- Institutional and legal reforms to deter future abuses;
- And a special EAC Heads of State summit on governance and regional justice
This case represents a watershed moment for East African human rights law—challenging not just perpetrators but also states and regional bodies for failures in accountability and protection. The EACJ’s judgment could influence how political dissent and state repression are treated across the region.
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