Faustine Mafwele
Activist, Agather Atuhaire, has given a detailed account of her detention in Tanzania alongside Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, alleging that they were tortured and subjected to degrading treatment while in custody.
The two activists were arrested in Dar es Salaam during a visit linked to the court appearance of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
They had travelled to attend the proceedings when they were detained by security officers, an incident that later drew regional attention from human rights groups and political observers.
In a strongly worded statement shared on social media, Atuhaire said the experience continues to affect her health and daily life more than a year later.
“I always want to put the torture I and Boniface Mwangi were subjected to in Tanzania behind me but yesterday and today have refused,” she said. “A year later, we are yet to recover from it.”
She added that the physical injuries she says she sustained remain unresolved and continue to require medical attention.
“I still have to wear shoes prescribed by doctors fitted with feet pads,” she said. “In March the pain was so bad and I was given cortisone shots in between the toes. They numbed the pain for a few weeks and we went back to zero.”
Atuhaire described the pain as persistent and disruptive, saying recovery has been slow and uncertain.
“When I say I am still in pain, I mean it is something I live with every day,” she said in her statement. “Some days are better, but the damage remains.”
She also gave a detailed account of the officer she accuses of overseeing their alleged mistreatment, naming him as “Mafwele.”
“I think of Mafwele, the police officer that looked into our eyes and told us he will deal with us and we will forever remember his face,” she said. “When people asked about our whereabouts the following day, he told them he will do whatever he wants to us and there is nothing anyone will do.”
Atuhaire said the alleged conduct reflected abuse of authority and a wider culture of impunity.
“What he did didn’t stop us from demanding for the respect of human rights and dignity,” she said. “Even the killing of Tanzanians by him and that murderous regime of Samia Suluhu hasn’t stopped the rest from agitating for better governance.”
She added that accountability remains inevitable, even if delayed.
“And his day will also come,” she said. “Even if I am not here when it comes, others that he has caused immense suffering will celebrate.”
Atuhaire maintained that the incident has strengthened her resolve to continue speaking out on human rights issues across the region.
“What people must understand is that fear is the tool they use,” she said. “But it does not erase truth, and it does not erase suffering.”
Boniface Mwangi, who was detained alongside her, has previously also spoken about the arrest, raising concerns about the treatment they were subjected to while in custody.