Ugandan journalist and human rights lawyer Agather Atuhaire, who was reportedly abducted in Tanzania earlier this week, has been found and is safe, according to multiple reports. Atuhaire had gone missing for several days, prompting growing concern from human rights organizations and activists across East Africa.
She was discovered abandoned at the Mutukula border crossing—a heavily guarded checkpoint between Uganda and Tanzania—under unclear circumstances. Her disappearance had sparked alarm among civil society groups, particularly after it was revealed that she had been detained alongside Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi.
Mwangi, known for his outspoken activism on issues of governance and social justice, had travelled to Dar es Salaam to attend the court appearance of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Both he and Atuhaire were arrested shortly after their arrival. Mwangi was later deported by road and left in Ukunda, Kilifi County, Kenya, on Thursday.
During a press briefing after his release, Mwangi recounted harrowing details of their detention. He alleged that both he and Atuhaire were tortured while in custody. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mwangi stated that the last time he saw Atuhaire was on Tuesday, when he heard her in distress. “She was groaning in pain after being tortured,” he said.
Mwangi further claimed that their captors were acting under orders from a member of Tanzanian state security. “Our torturers were acting on orders from a ‘state security’ employee who came to Immigration offices and followed us to Central Police Station. He then ordered that we be taken to a secret location to be given what he called ‘Tanzanian treatment’,” Mwangi alleged.
Reuters reported that it was unable to reach Atuhaire directly for comment.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from regional human rights organizations, who have condemned the actions of Tanzanian authorities and demanded a full investigation into the abduction and treatment of the two activists. Calls are also mounting for greater protection for journalists and human rights defenders operating in politically sensitive environments across the region.
Authorities in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have not yet issued formal statements regarding the detention or treatment of Atuhaire and Mwangi. Human rights observers continue to push for accountability and transparency as more details emerge about the ordeal.
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