NAIROBI, Kenya — The United States (US) has called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into allegations of mistreatment of two East African activists, Kenya’s Boniface Mwangi and Uganda’s Agather Atuhaire, while they were in Tanzania.
The African Bureau of the Department of State issued a statement via social media on Saturday, May 24, 2025, expressing its deep concern over widespread reports of the activists’ mistreatment. This statement followed their release and deportation by road by Tanzanian authorities the previous day.
The US pointed out that Atuhaire was recognized by the Department of State in 2024 as an International Women of Courage awardee.
The US government further described the incident as a human rights abuse, urging all nations in the East African region to hold accountable those responsible for violating human rights, including acts of torture.
“The United States is deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment in Tanzania of two East African activists – Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi. Atuhaire was recognised by @StateDept in 2024 as an International Women of Courage Awardee. We call for an immediate and full investigation into the allegations of human rights abuses. We urge all countries in the region to hold to account those responsible for violating human rights, including torture,” the statement read.
Mwangi hospitalized
Boniface Mwangi was transported into Moi International Airport on Thursday, May 22, 2025, appearing visibly weak and requiring assistance to move, before being urgently airlifted to Nairobi for specialized medical care.
The dramatic scene unfolded as supporters and fellow activists chanted, “Torture wee baki nyuma, sisi tutaenda na haki” (Torture, stay behind—we will go with justice), highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. Mwangi’s condition has sparked public outrage following claims of torture during his detention by Tanzanian authorities.
He had traveled to Dar es Salaam to attend a court hearing for Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges. Mwangi was arrested alongside Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire and subsequently deported by road to Kenya.
Atuhaire found
Agather Atuhaire, who was detained in Tanzania with Mwangi, was located hours later. She had been dumped at the Mutukula border between Uganda and Tanzania.
Activist Hussein Khalid, the CEO of VOCAL Africa, confirmed Atuhaire’s release, noting her poor condition and calling for justice for both activists.
“Tortured, wounded, broken body but determined spirit. Agather has been found. They must pay for what they did to Boniface Mwangi and Agather. Justice must be done and seen to have been done,” Khalid stated.
In a statement on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Agather recounted the experience at the hands of Tanzanian authorities, observing that together with Boniface Mwangi, they were lucky to be alive.
“Good people, I have no words to thank you for your support, concern, and love. I am not okay, but what a relief to be alive and back home! I still can’t believe Boniface Mwangi and I made it out alive,” Agather remarked.
Mwangi recounts torture
Following his release, Mwangi described his ordeal as the worst form of torture, alleging that they were threatened with public humiliation if they disclosed details of their treatment.
“Everything that happened to us in Tanzania was done in Samia Suluhu’s name, and we will ensure the world gets to know. We shall speak for the Tanzanian victims who are too afraid to speak,” Mwangi wrote in his statement.
“What Suluhu did to us will be revealed to the world. We shall not be silenced by a torturous dictator who has her foot on the necks of the Tanzanian people,” Mwangi added.
