Tanzania police dismiss abduction, torture claims by Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire

Dar es Salaam’s Special Police Zone Commander, Jumanne Muliro, has flatly dismissed allegations from Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and his Ugandan counterpart Agather Atuhaire, who claim they were tortured by Tanzanian police after detention by immigration officials.

Muliro insists that the activists should have reported any abuse through official channels, branding their claims as mere personal opinions.

"Hayo ni maoni yao, ni mtazamo wao. Kama wanachosema ni hivyo basi waofficiate kwenye mamlaka ya kuzungumza. Yaani mimi naiona ni kama ni mtazamo, ni maoni tu. Wangekuwepo mimi ningehojiana nao,” Muliro said.

He insists that the activists should have approached Tanzanian officials directly to address their grievances instead of issuing a press statement where they shared disturbing accounts of alleged mistreatment by Tanzanian authorities.

"Nilitamani kama ni yeye ndiye angekuwa akiongea na mimi ili niulize vitu vingi, niwape nafasi nzuri ya kujua anaongea kitu gani. Unaongea kitu kwa niaba ya mtu ambaye baadhi ya maswali ningependa kumwuuliza yeye. Wewe nikikuuliza huwezi kujibu,” Muliro added.

The official statement by Tanzanian police, viewed as dismissive of issues raised by the two activists, raises fresh concerns about the fragile diplomatic ties between Kenya and Tanzania.

Meanwhile, Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, defended the government’s move to block the social media platform X.

He said the ban aims to shield Tanzanians from harmful and explicit content online.

"Content that violates Section 16 of the Online Content Regulations is being removed to protect Tanzanians,” said Silaa.

However, digital rights advocates have condemned the ban, warning it infringes on freedom of expression and restricts access to vital information.