Renowned Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and lawyer Agather Atuhaire from Uganda remain in police custody following their arrest on Monday, May 19, 2025. The two activists were in the country to attend the treason trial of the leader of Tanzania’s main opposition party, Tundu Lissu
In its statement, the Tanzania Human Rights Defender Coalition said Mwangi and Atuhaire are being held at the Central Police Station in Dar es Salaam.
“Mr. Mwangi was arrested on allegations of providing false information to gain entry into the country. He arrived in Tanzania on May 18, 2025,” the statement from THRDC noted.
“The Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), in collaboration with the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) and the East Africa Law Society (EALS), has been providing legal representation to both Mr. Mwangi and Ms. Atuhaire. However, as of today, the two remain in custody and have not been deported despite Mr. Mwangi having a scheduled return flight tonight,” the statement continued.
Tanzanian authorities have yet to disclose the reason for the arrest of the two activists; however, the Tanzanian president has issued a warning to regional activists for meddling in Tanzania’s internal affairs. Speaking during the launch of the new Tanzania foreign policy on May 19, 2025, the Tanzanian president directed security organs to look into the matter.
“We have started to see a trend of activists within our region invading and interfering with our affairs here. Now that they have been contained in their own countries, they should not come here and mess things up for us. Let us not give them a chance, they already ruined their own countries, they already caused chaos there,” President Samia said.
She continued: “The only country left that is not messed up, where people feel secure, and enjoy peace, and tranquility, is ours. There are already several attempts, so I kindly urge the security and defense organs, as well as those of you who oversee our foreign policies, not to allow undisciplined individuals from other countries to cross into ours and spread their indiscipline here.”
