The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire have recounted horrifying experiences of abuse and torture while in Tanzania, where they had travelled on May 18, 2025, to support opposition leader Tundu Lissu during his treason trial.
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What was meant to be a peaceful show of solidarity turned into a nightmare after the two were allegedly abducted from their hotel by Tanzanian state agents and gang members.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mwangi and Atuhaire described how they were detained, harassed, and severely tortured—beginning at a police station where officers and immigration officials initially interrogated them.
Mwangi said he was informed by the Kenyan Ambassador that he would be deported, but instead, they were taken to a police station where beatings began. A man identified as Mafwele reportedly led the abuse and issued disturbing threats, including rape.
Later, at the Central Police Station, a group of unknown men blindfolded the duo and transferred them to a location that became their torture site. There, both were forced to undress, physically assaulted, and sexually abused using objects—all while being recorded.
“They tied me upside down, beat my feet, gagged me with my underwear, and played gospel music to muffle my cries,” Mwangi said. “They inserted objects into us while saying things like ‘Asante Samia’.”
Atuhaire confirmed the attacks and said the assailants were instructed to “inflict as much pain as possible.” Both victims were drugged with painkillers and endured hours of psychological torture, including being blindfolded and transported for long periods without knowing their destination.
On Thursday, Mwangi was dropped near the Kenya border with a small amount of money and told to leave. Atuhaire faced a similar ordeal.
They identified one of the key tormentors as Faustine Mafwele and expressed disbelief that public officials were openly complicit in their abuse.
“We come from countries with authoritarian regimes, but I’ve never seen such lawlessness like in Tanzania,” Atuhaire said, while thanking East Africans for demanding their release.
The two have now vowed to pursue legal action against Tanzanian authorities for the gross human rights violations they endured.
