A jury of prominent African human rights defenders has called for the urgent release of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer Agatha Atuhaire, who were arrested in Tanzania on May 19, 2025. The two were reportedly taken from their hotel rooms at Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam by individuals identifying themselves as police officers. Their whereabouts remain unknown, sparking widespread concern among human rights groups.
The 2024 Human Rights Award jury, comprising renowned figures including former Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, activist Rachael Mwikali, and cartoonist Gaddo (Geoffrey Mwampembwa), issued a joint statement condemning the detention. “We call for the immediate release and safe return of the two human rights defenders to their home countries,” the group stated, expressing fears for their safety.
Mwangi, a recipient of the 2024 Human Rights Defender of the Year Award, was in Tanzania with Atuhaire to observe the ongoing trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges. They were part of a broader team of observers, many of whom, including Martha Karua and Hussein Khalid, had earlier been denied entry into the country.
Despite assurances from Tanzanian authorities that the pair would be deported by Monday, there has been no communication with their families, and their location remains unconfirmed. Initial reports indicated that they were briefly held at the Central Police Station in Dar es Salaam.
The Defenders Coalition, led by executive director Kamau Ngugi, accused the Tanzanian government of ignoring repeated appeals for their release. “We will continue to demand respect for human dignity and fundamental rights for all,” said Ngugi.
The jury urged the Tanzanian authorities to adhere to regional and international human rights obligations, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the East African Community Treaty.
As pressure mounts, the silence from Tanzanian officials has drawn sharp criticism from rights organizations across the region, with many warning that such actions threaten the integrity of cross-border human rights work and the safety of defenders.
