Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Prominent human rights activists Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire were detained in Tanzania between May 19 and May 22.

The duo had travelled to Tanzania to show solidarity with opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges that carry a possible death sentence.

They were arrested and later deported by road following an uproar from the public.

On the night of Thursday, May 22, Atuhaire was found abandoned at the Tanzania-Uganda border after four days in custody.

According to Hussein Khalid, CEO of VOCAL Africa, she had been tortured and was in extremely poor physical condition.

“For safety reasons, not much can be said now besides that she was tortured and is in very bad condition,” he stated.

The disturbing incident sparked outrage from civil society and political leaders across East Africa.

On Sunday, May 25, senior counsel and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua broke her silence, publicly demanding answers from Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan.

"I humbly ask to know what action you and your government have taken against the main suspect, ACP Mafwele of Tanzania Police regarding the torture and sexual assault in the case involving Agather Atuhaire and Boniface Mwangi," Karua wrote on social media.

This comes only hours after Karua led a statement from the Pan African Progressive Leaders’ Solidarity Network and allied human rights organisations, condemning the arrests and alleged abuses.

Karua also noted that the incident followed the deportation of six international trial observers, including a former chief justice Willy Mutunga, a former minister of justice, and a Law Society of Kenya Council member—each barred entry at Julius Nyerere International Airport while on a similar mission.

The politician appealed to the African Union and other regional human rights bodies to launch an independent inquiry into the unlawful detention, deportation, and reported torture of the two activists.

The United States, through its Bureau of African Affairs, also called for a swift and comprehensive investigation into the alleged torture and abuse of the two individuals.

The bureau urged regional governments to hold those responsible for human rights violations accountable, including acts of torture.

Meanwhile, following Mwangi's release and deportation, he revealed he had endured four days of severe torture and expressed deep concern for Atuhaire, who had been detained alongside him.

He noted that the abuse they suffered was extreme and hoped she was safe.

Mwangi also thanked those who stood with them in solidarity, saying their support had not been in vain.

Source: TUKO.co.ke