Agather Atuhaire, the Ugandan lawyer, journalist, and social justice advocate who had been detained by Tanzanian authorities since Monday, was found alive early Friday morning at the Uganda-Tanzania border, according to a statement from her organization, Agora Centre for Research.
“We are relieved to inform the public that she has been found. She was abandoned at the border by Tanzanian authorities,” Agora said in a statement issued on Friday morning. “Further details will be shared later today. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who stood in solidarity during this time. Your efforts truly made a difference.”
Atuhaire, a well-known voice in Uganda’s civic space, had traveled to Tanzania with other activists to observe the ongoing trial of Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu. Her sudden disappearance sparked regional concern, with multiple rights organizations and civil society groups demanding her release.
Atuhaire is the executive director of Agora Centre for Research and a renowned advocate for good governance, anti-corruption, and human rights across East Africa. In 2024, she received the International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. Department of State, an accolade that recognized her tireless work for civic engagement and democratic reform.
Allegations of torture have now emerged surrounding her detention. Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi, who was detained alongside Atuhaire, shared a harrowing account of abuse on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), describing physical torture and psychological humiliation.
“The last time I was in the same space with @AAgather was Tuesday morning. We had been tortured and were told to strip naked and go bathe. We couldn’t walk and were told to crawl and wash off the blood,” Mwangi wrote. “We were handcuffed and blindfolded. I didn’t even see her, but I heard her groaning in pain as they barked orders at us.”
Mwangi detailed how their captors operated under the direction of a man he described as a Tanzanian state security agent. This individual, he claimed, orchestrated their transfer from immigration offices and a central police station to a secret detention site. According to Mwangi, the man carried out physical assaults in the presence of lawyers and allegedly reported directly to President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
His description of the agent—of average height, light brown skin, short wavy hair, and a sagging potbelly—matched the man he said oversaw their torture. Mwangi posted the account publicly, urging action to ensure Atuhaire’s safety.
Although now found alive, it remains unclear what physical and psychological state Atuhaire is in. Civil society organizations and human rights defenders across the region are calling for a full investigation into her detention and treatment.
There has been no official comment yet from Tanzanian authorities or President Suluhu’s office.
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