Human rights activist and Team Leader at AGORA, Agather Atuhaire, has been arrested and detained in Tanzania by local Police authorities while on official duty as part of the East African Community (EAC) observer mission.
According to Jim Spire Ssentongo, Agather had traveled to Tanzania alongside Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi to attend a court session involving Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, a key political figure and former Member of Parliament who has faced multiple legal and political hurdles in recent years.
The two observers were reportedly taken into custody shortly after arriving at the court premises, where they intended to monitor proceedings as part of a regional effort to promote transparency, justice, and solidarity across East Africa.
The arrest has sparked outrage among regional civil society groups, who view the detentions as an attack on civic freedoms and a worrying sign of shrinking democratic space in the region.
AGORA has since confirmed Agather’s arrest and is actively pursuing her release through diplomatic and legal channels.
“We can confirm that our Team Leader Agather Atuhaire has been arrested and detained by Tanzanian Police alongside Kenya’s Activist Boniface Mwangi. They were part of the East African Community (EAC) observer mission currently in Tanzania that had travelled to attend a court hearing involving Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Alissu,” Spire tweeted.
Both Agather Atuhaire and Boniface Mwangi are known for their outspoken advocacy on human rights, press freedom, and good governance. Their arrest while observing a high-profile political trial raises concerns about the Tanzanian government’s commitment to openness and regional cooperation.
At the time of publication, no formal charges had been communicated.
