Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi reveals abuse during enforced disappearance in Tanzania
- Human Rights Research Center
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
Author: Peter Clarkin, MA
June 26, 2025
HRRC condemns the unlawful and inhumane treatment of activists Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire in Tanzania. The ordeal they endured was horrific in nature, and all parties involved should be held accountable and brought to justice.
![Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire (left) and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi who were abducted and detained in Tanzania. [Image source: Eastleigh Voice]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_3e2de9810c3d4cf481c78ca54236b7ee~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_800,h_438,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_3e2de9810c3d4cf481c78ca54236b7ee~mv2.png)
In a press conference hosted on June 23rd, Boniface Mwangi, a Kenyan activist, and Agather Atuhaire, a human rights lawyer from Uganda, recounted in detail the horrific ordeal they were put through during a trip to Tanzania’s biggest city, Dar es Salaam. The pair arrived in the city to show support for Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, but what followed quickly turned into a harrowing experience for both individuals.
Mwangi and Atuhaire described how their original plan had been to travel to Tanzania to display solidarity with Lissu during his court hearing on May 19th. Expressions of political dissent are under increasing amounts of scrutiny in the country, so much so that Lissu has been charged with treason.
On the night of May 18th Mwangi was disturbed in his hotel by a group of men banging on his door and claiming to be immigration officers. After hearing about other Kenyan visitors being deported Mwangi immediately felt unsafe and so barricaded himself in his room. While he managed to keep himself safe during the night, a larger group of men were waiting for him in the morning. Both Mwangi and Athuaire were ambushed and taken away.
They were first taken to an immigration office where Mwangi was physically assaulted in front of three lawyers, and when the lawyers were forced to leave, the severity of the violence increased with both individuals being beaten. Mwangi and Atuhaire were subsequently driven to an unknown location, placed in separate rooms and subjected to severe torture, which was both physical and sexual in nature. During the entirety of their inhumane interrogation Athuaire and Mwangi were continually asked why they intended to destabilise Tanzania.
In a final indignation, they were blindfolded, driven to the border, dumped, and left to find their own way home. Both Mwangi and Athuaire stated they were certain it was public officials who sent the thugs after them. Both Mr. Mwangi and Ms. Athuhaire now plan to take legal action against the Tanzanian government, and, with the support of regional legal teams, will seek justice for what they had to endure.
Glossary
Activist – A person who takes action to support or oppose a cause, especially in politics or social issues.
Ambushed – Attacked by surprise, usually by people hiding and waiting.
Assaulted – Physically attacked or harmed by someone.
Barricaded – Blocked off with barriers to stop people from coming in or going out.
Destabilise – To make something, like a country or system, weak or unsteady.
Endure – To suffer through something difficult or painful without giving up.
Harrowing – Extremely upsetting, frightening, or painful.
Inhumane – Cruel or lacking kindness and compassion.
Indignation – Strong anger or annoyance caused by something unfair or wrong.
Ordeal – A very painful or difficult experience.
Political dissent – Disagreement or protest against the government or political leaders.
Recounted – Told a story or described an event in detail.
Scrutiny – Careful and detailed examination or inspection.
Severity – The seriousness or intensity of something, especially something bad.
Solidarity – Support and unity with others, especially during hard times.Thugs – Violent or criminal people who hurt or threaten others.
Torture – Causing great pain to someone, often to punish or force information from them.
Sources
1. https://www.semafor.com/article/06/18/2025/tortured-activists-sue-tanzania-kenya-uganda-governments
