Two East African activists have filed a case at a regional court accusing Tanzanian police of abduction, torture, and sexual abuse.
Kenyan Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan Agather Atuhaire were detained in Dar es Salaam from May 19 to 23 while attempting to attend a treason trial. They say they were held without charge and subjected to degrading treatment by Tanzanian authorities, including enforced disappearance and unlawful deportation.
On Friday, the activists, joined by seven other applicants, lodged a case at the East African Court of Justice in Arusha, Tanzania. Among the co-applicants is the Kenya Human Rights Commission, which seeks justice for what they call “grave human rights violations.”
The suit names the governments of Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, as well as the Secretary General of the East African Community. The petition alleges that Kenyan and Ugandan officials failed to protect their citizens or pursue diplomatic channels for their release.
Mwangi and Atuhaire are demanding $1 million each in damages, a formal apology, and condemnation of Tanzania’s actions by the EAC leadership. The incident has drawn attention amid rising repression in Tanzania ahead of elections, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan facing criticism from rights groups.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s President William Ruto is under fire over reports of police brutality and rising incidents of abductions. “When a state goes rogue, the law must step in to protect their victims,” Mwangi said, vowing to expose the abuses through the court.
“We hope this case will give more victims of the state the courage to speak up, and seek justice,” he added. Tanzania and Kenya have yet to respond. Uganda’s government said it was unaware of the case and called for supporting evidence.