Over 20 civil society groups condemn Tanzania for detaining Boniface Mwangi
More than 20 civil society organisations have condemned the arrest and detention of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire by Tanzanian authorities, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
In a joint statement released on May 21, 2025, the Police Reforms Working Group–Kenya (PRWG-K), a coalition of numerous human rights and legal organisations across Kenya, expressed deep concern over what it termed a blatant violation of the rights of human rights defenders.
Mwangi and Atuhaire were detained on May 18, 2025, while in Tanzania to observe ongoing court proceedings involving opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
“Their arrest is a blatant violation of the fundamental rights of human rights defenders and journalists, and it further raises serious concerns about the shrinking civic space and the growing trend of enforced disappearances and abductions in East Africa,” the statement reads in part.
According to the rights groups, both Mwangi and Atuhaire are being held incommunicado and denied access to legal representation, family members, and consular services – actions that violate international human rights standards.
“We are deeply alarmed by reports that both defenders are being denied access to legal representation and communication with their families and consular services in clear violations of international human rights standards,” the statement adds.
EAC treaty
PRWG-K emphasised that Tanzania’s actions contradict its obligations as a member of the East African Community (EAC), citing Article 6 of the East African Community Treaty, which affirms principles of democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights.
“As members of the East African Community (EAC), all partner states, including Tanzania, are bound by regional treaties and protocols that guarantee the free movement of persons, freedom of expression, and protection of human rights,” the statement continued.
“The continued detention of Boniface and Agather without due process undermines not only their rights but the spirit of East African integration and solidarity,” the statement added.
Demands
The coalition outlined four key demands, including the immediate release of the two activists, restoration of their rights to legal and consular communication, an end to the harassment of civic actors in Tanzania, and an independent investigation into their detention and similar cases.
“We urge the Tanzanian government to honour its domestic and international obligations,” PRWG-K affirmed.
They also warned against normalising the repression of civic space.
“The safety and dignity of all persons, regardless of nationality, must be upheld at all times,” it said.
The statement was signed by a broad coalition of rights organisations, including Amnesty International Kenya, HAKI Africa, Katiba Institute, Defenders Coalition, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, FIDA-Kenya, Transparency International Kenya, and the International Commission of Jurists (Kenya Section), among others.
Update on the detention
In an update on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Boniface Mwabukusi, President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), indicated that the Immigration Department of the United Republic of Tanzania is currently holding the two.
“We wish to provide a clarification regarding the status of Boniface Mwangi, a Kenyan journalist and human rights activist, and Agatha Atuhaire, a Ugandan journalist and lawyer, who were earlier reported to have been deported from Tanzania,” the statement read in part.
“It has now come to our attention that, contrary to initial information, the two individuals have not yet been deported. We have since established that they are no longer in police custody but remain held by the Immigration Department of the United Republic of Tanzania,” the TLS president explained.
As of press time, the two activists had not yet been freed.
