Ugandan activists threatens to sue Tanzanian government

23 May 2025, 5:08 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Following the arrests of Ugandan Human Rights prominent advocate Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan activist Borniface Mwangi, in Tanzania, speaking to Journalists at a press conference in Kampala, the activists through their lawyer, Kato Tumusiime, have confirmed that they are going to take the Tanzanian government to court. Kato Tumusiime, the lawyer has confirmed that the two were part of the delegation of East Africa.

“Earlier this week, on Monday 19th May 2025, we expressed our deep concern over the disappearance of two prominent human rights advocates, Ms. Agather Atuhaire from Uganda and Borniface Mwangi from Kenya who were last known to be in the custody of Tanzanian authorities following their arrest on 19 May 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We are now relieved to confirm that today they have surfaced and are safe. Mwangi was yesterday dumped in Horohoro coast region of Kenya, tortured, wounded and in urgent need of medical attention. Atuhaire was dumped in Mukutula, the Tanzanian boarder to Uganda at dawn today 23rd May 2025,” he said.

According to the activists Agather Atuhaire and Borniface Mwangi had gone to observe a court proceeding, the Treason trial against Hon. Tundu Lissu, the leader of CHADEMA a leading opposition party in Tanzania at Kisutu court. Counsel Martha Karua who has on several occasions come to Uganda to attend civilian court and even attended prayer organized for political prisoners like Dr. Kiza Besigye in both General Court Martial and the civilian court.

“While we celebrate the safe return of both Agather and Borniface, we demand a public official apology from the government to both victims, acknowledging illegal detention, torture, and degrading treatment they endured. We also demand immediate compensation from Tanzanian government for the physical, emotional, and psychological harm caused. This includes the cost of medical treatment, legal redress, and long-term rehabilitation. We need also Independent transparent investigation and accountability” Kato said.

“We call on East African community to invoke article 6(d) of the East African Community Treaty, which commits member states to uphold democracy, the rule of meeting to address this cross-broader human rights violation, establish mechanisms to protect human rights defenders, and prevent future abductions,” he said. Gedion Kwikiriza, president of X handle activists, also condemned the actions by Tanzanian government.