Uganda demands answers on activist Atuhaire detained in Tanzania

Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire. [Courtesy]

The Ugandan High Commission in Tanzania has written to the Dar es Salaam police seeking permission to visit Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan journalist and governance advocate detained at the Central Police Station.

Atuhaire had reportedly travelled to Tanzania on various engagements, including attending a court session involving opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

She was arrested alongside Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi earlier this week.

While Atuhaire remains in detention, Mwangi was forcibly deported and dumped at the Tanzania-Kenya border.

His deportation followed diplomatic pressure from Kenya, which cited violations of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and demanded access to him.

In a letter dated Thursday, May 22, Uganda's High Commissioner Col. (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye said the mission received information about Atuhaire's arrest and now seeks to talk to her and assess the possibility of securing her release and return to Uganda.

"This is to request for information on the above-mentioned Ugandan national in detention at your facility and permission for the Mission staff to visit and talk to her," Mwesigye said.

Tanzanian government has yet to publicly explain the basis for the arrests or confirm Atuhaire's legal status.

Kenya's Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed Mwangi's release and noted the two had been held since Monday under unclear circumstances.