Agather Atuhaire, the winner of the EU Haman Rights Award was together with Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi were arrested this week in Dar es Salaam to observe the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lisu.
Free Agathar Atuhaire and Boniface Mwangi. A protest poster by human rights activists demand for the release of colleagues held by Samia Suluhu's government. Internet photo
Lawyers representing Ugandan Journalist turned lawyer, Agather Atuhaire
have asked authorities in Tanzania to have her produced in Court.
Atuhaire, the winner of the EU Haman Rights Award was together with
Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi were arrested this week in Dar es Salaam to observe
the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lisu.
While the Tanzania’s Law Society President, Boniface Mwabukusi said that
the two had been released by the police in Tanzania, Atuhaire and Mwangi have
not returned to Uganda and Kenya respectively.
The lawyers lead by Jebra Kambole moving
in a matter nature habeas corpus have written to Tanzanian‘s Inspector General
of Police asking him to release the two in the interest of Justice. The lawyer
said the determination of the application requires extreme urgency.
Atuhaire and Boniface Mwangi last public physical appearance was 19th
may 2025 according to the application.
The application was copied Dar es Salaam zonal police Commander, Dar es
Salaam Crime Officer, the Officer Commanding criminal investigations, officer
commanding Central Police Dar es Salaam, the Director Public Prosecutions and
the Attorney General of Tanzania Station
Tanzania.
“That, the applicants have been under the custody of the 1st
to 5th respondent inclusive since the last appearance on 20th
May, 2025 when the said police authority promised to deport them to their respective
countries, Kenya and Uganda, via Mwalimu Juius Nyerere Airport, and, ever since,
the whereabouts, mental and physical conditions of the applicants remain
unknown and they have been held incommunicado” states
the application dated 21st May 2025.
The petition calls for urgent intervention of the court in the interest
of justice and protection of Tanzania’s national image and involved countries.
Agather Atuhaire was initially arrested with Kenya’s
former Justice Minister Martha Karua. Karua was later deported from Tanzania.
Karua, who has been in Uganda to attend the trial of Dr.
Kiiza Beisigye ia among those that have raised voices in solidarity with
Agather Atuhaire.
/// Cue In “That Solidarity……
Cue Out….we may have to go to Banjur.”///
Banjur hosts the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The
African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Court) is a continental court
established by African states to ensure the protection of human and peoples’
rights in Africa. It complements the functions of the African Commission on
Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Martha Karua told an x space on Wednesday evening that she
supports peaceful protest not just for the release of the two persons but for
sweeping reforms with in East Africa.
“Let us do all we can. I support peaceful protests, going to
the embassies concerned. And please don’t let the Kenyan government off the
hook” she urged Karua.
///Cue In “ Mudhavadi yester…
Cue Out …….access information” ///
“We are trying to reach CCM higher echelons to tell them that
they are doing themselves a greater disservice by continuing holding people incommunicado
when they have not committed any offence” Karua revealed.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan
on Monday warned activists from Kenya and Uganda that she will not allow
them to "meddle" in her country's affairs and cause "chaos". "If
they have been contained in their country, let them not come here to
meddle. Let's not give them a chance. They have already created chaos in
their own country," warned Samia.
URN has information that the activists from Uganda, Kenya
and within Tanzania are planning peaceful protest at the United Republic of
Tanzania embassies and the embassies of Uganda and Kenya bas din Tanzania as
they push for the release or deportation of their colleagues.
The arrest and trial the Tanzania’s opposition leader Tundu
Lissu has attracted a lot of interest from human rights activists in East Africa.
He was arrested in April after he held a rally under the slogan "No
Reforms, No Election".
He
was demanding sweeping changes, saying Tanzania's current laws do not allow for
free and fair elections. The government denies the allegation.
The
Chadema party has been barred by the Samia Suluhu’s government from contesting
the October poll after it refused to comply with the electoral commission's
requirement to sign a code of conduct.