Tanzania’s Special Police Zone Commander, Jumanne Muliro, has dismissed claims of abduction and torture made by Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire. The two activists alleged that they were subjected to mistreatment by Tanzanian police following their detention by immigration officials.
Muliro described the allegations as mere personal opinions and urged the activists to have reported any abuse through proper official channels instead of airing their grievances publicly. “Hayo ni maoni yao, ni mtazamo wao. Kama wanachosema ni hivyo basi waofficiate kwenye mamlaka ya kuzungumza. Yaani mimi naiona ni kama ni mtazamo, ni maoni tu. Wangekuwepo mimi ningehojiana nao,” he said, emphasizing that he would have preferred to question them directly to better understand their claims.
The police commander criticized the activists for issuing statements through the media rather than engaging Tanzanian authorities face-to-face to resolve the matter. “Nilitamani kama ni yeye ndiye angekuwa akiongea na mimi ili niulize vitu vingi, niwape nafasi nzuri ya kujua anaongea kitu gani. Unaongea kitu kwa niaba ya mtu ambaye baadhi ya maswali ningependa kumwuuliza yeye. Wewe nikikuuliza huwezi kujibu,” Muliro added.
This dismissive stance by Tanzanian police has reignited concerns about the delicate diplomatic relations between Kenya and Tanzania, as accusations of human rights abuses continue to draw regional attention.
In a related development, Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, defended the government’s recent decision to block the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Silaa stated the ban was intended to protect Tanzanians from harmful and explicit online content, citing enforcement of Section 16 of the Online Content Regulations.
However, digital rights groups have strongly criticized the ban, arguing it undermines freedom of expression and restricts access to important information for Tanzanians. The move has sparked a broader debate about internet freedom and government censorship in the East African region.
As tensions simmer over human rights allegations and digital freedoms, Tanzania’s approach signals ongoing challenges balancing security, governance, and civil liberties.
