Ugandan human rights activist Joan Atuhaire has shared shocking details of her ordeal following her detention by Tanzanian authorities. Atuhaire, who was arrested alongside Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, was released Thursday after days in custody. The two had traveled to Tanzania to support opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who was facing treason charges, but were denied entry to the courtroom and later arrested under unclear circumstances.
In a heartfelt post on X, Atuhaire expressed gratitude for the global support she received, stating, “Good people, I have no words…thank you for your support, concern, and love. I am not okay, but what a relief to be alive and back home!” Her message came after a traumatic experience in which she was forcibly taken by five men and a woman, blindfolded, and driven to an unknown location. “I almost sat on guns… I thought it was over,” she recounted.
Reports indicate that Atuhaire was subjected to torture during her detention, leaving her with visibly swollen legs. Fellow activist Spire Ssentongo from the Agora Centre for Research, which Atuhaire leads, confirmed she was “dumped at the border at night by the authorities, and there are indications of torture.” Boniface Mwangi, who was abandoned near the Kenyan border, recalled hearing Atuhaire “groaning in pain” while they were held together.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan recently warned against foreign activists “meddling” in the country’s affairs, signaling a crackdown on dissent. However, Tanzanian authorities have remained silent on the torture allegations.
Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Fred Mwesigye, confirmed Atuhaire’s safe return, stating she was “warmly received by her family.” Despite her release, the incident has raised concerns over Tanzania’s treatment of activists and the broader suppression of political opposition.
Atuhaire’s ordeal highlights the dangers faced by human rights defenders in East Africa, where governments increasingly stifle dissent. International human rights groups are calling for an independent investigation into her detention and alleged torture. For now, Atuhaire’s survival offers a glimmer of hope, but her story underscores the urgent need for accountability.
