Crackdown on State critics: The new ties that bind EAC countries

Uganda's veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye stands in the dock at the Makindye Martial Court in Kampala, on November 20, 2024. - Leading Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye appeared in a military court in Kampala on November 20, 2024 after his reported abduction in neighbouring Kenya. (Photo by Badru Katumba / AFP)

East Africa is rapidly sliding into authoritarianism, with human rights violations on the rise across the region. Human rights organisations are raising the alarm over what appears to be a coordinated and deliberate campaign to restrict freedoms, dismantle civil society, and silence dissenting voices, including the media.

In a joint statement, human rights defenders from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania cited an alarming escalation of state-sanctioned repression.

In Uganda, opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye remains in military detention despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring the trial of civilians in military courts unconstitutional. The court ordered that all such cases be transferred to civilian courts.

Human Rights Watch hailed the ruling as a significant step towards ensuring the right to a fair trial in Uganda.

In October 2024, Uganda’s General Court Martial in Kampala, sentenced 16 civilian supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP)—the country’s main opposition party—to five years in prison after they pleaded guilty to charges of “treachery” and possession of explosive devices.

“These trials have frequently fallen short of both domestic and international standards, violating the right to a fair trial and freedoms guaranteed by Uganda’s constitution,” Human Rights Watch stated.

However, President Yoweri Museveni dismissed the Supreme Court decision as “a wrong one”.

Upcoming elections

In November 2024, Dr Besigye was abducted at a hotel in Nairobi and later charged with treason before a military court in Kampala. His lawyer, Eron Kiiza, was convicted by the General Court Martial for “contempt of court” and sentenced to nine months in prison—without trial.

Across the border in Tanzania, President Samia Suluhu Hassan is tightening the noose on dissent. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu is facing treason charges after being arrested at a public rally where he called for electoral reforms. Human rights activists have accused the government of cracking down on the opposition in the lead-up to the October general election.

Lissu’s party, CHADEMA—Tanzania’s main opposition outfit—was banned from fielding candidates in the upcoming polls after boycotting an event at which political parties were expected to sign a code of ethics.

In Kenya, President William Ruto’s administration has been accused of silencing dissenting voices. Human rights organisations continue to demand accountability for the deaths of youths and activists during the June 2024 youth protests, even as critics report harassment and attacks by individuals believed to be protected by security agencies.

Between June and August 2024, at least 36 people lost their lives, and over 500 were arrested, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

“The criminalisation of political opposition is a dangerous trend taking root across all three countries. There has been a troubling spike in harassment, arrests, and persecution of opposition leaders—often under the guise of maintaining public order or enforcing anti-terrorism laws,” said Godlisten Muro, a Tanzanian human rights activist.

Kamau Ngugi, Chair of the African Human Rights Defenders Network in the Eastern and Horn of Africa, said the state of human rights across the three nations is deteriorating rapidly.

“We have witnessed serious reprisals and attacks against human rights defenders, pro-democracy activists, and others perceived to threaten those in power.

“In Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, similar tactics are being deployed—especially surveillance, leading to abductions and forced disappearances,” Ngugi added.

He further noted that many young people in Kenya are being placed under surveillance, some eventually going missing or turning up dead.

“We have seen a similar pattern in Tanzania and Uganda,” he said.

Opposition leaders across East Africa continue to be harassed and detained for holding public rallies or criticising government policies.

Surveillance

“The political rights of opposition figures are being violated through surveillance and arbitrary bans on public gatherings,” said George Victor Otieno, a Ugandan activist.

A 2025 study by Ayaga Max titled Teargas and Tyranny: The East African Union of Human Rights Violations and Fragile Egos concluded that political spaces across the region are shrinking at an alarming rate.

“What binds these three countries today is not just geography or economic cooperation through the East African Community—but a disturbing shared contempt for dissent and a creeping normalisation of authoritarianism,” the report states.

Max said Presidents Suluhu, Museveni and Ruto preside over regimes that claim to be democratic while reacting to criticism like “spoiled emperors scorned at court.”

“Their egos are so fragile that even a high school play, a tweet, or a protest song triggers the full force of the state. If these leaders were half as committed to governance as they are to silencing dissent, their countries would be thriving,” he added.

Max highlighted the abduction of Dr Besigye by Ugandan operatives in Nairobi as part of a “frightening new precedent” of extrajudicial cross-border operations in East Africa.

“This wave of coordinated repression cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. It reveals a pattern: governments that increasingly use the language of democracy while deploying the tools of dictatorship.”

He added: “Media outlets operate under heavy censorship and constant threats. Court rulings are often unenforced or overturned due to executive pressure. The security apparatus in all three countries operates with near impunity.”

Treasonous criminals

Human rights groups have also raised concerns over the growing trend of equating dissent with treason. In Uganda, Besigye was charged with treason; in Tanzania, Lissu faces the same charge. In Kenya, President Ruto labelled protesting youth in June 2024 as “treasonous criminals”.

Hussein Khalid, Executive Director of Vocal Africa, said the state of democracy and freedom of expression in East Africa is deteriorating at an alarming rate.

“Governments are weaponising laws and institutions like the police to stifle free speech, suppress media freedom, and crush peaceful protests,” said Khalid.

These violations are occurring as Tanzania prepares for its October general election, with President Suluhu seeking re-election, while Uganda and Kenya prepare for polls in January 2026 and August 2027, respectively.

Abductions, extrajudicial killings, and censorship of media and activists are becoming disturbingly common.

“The disappearance of young people like Deusdedith Soka, and the brutal murder of activist Ali Kibao serve as grim reminders that freedom of expression and assembly are under siege,” said Muro.

In Kenya, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings have surged in recent months, particularly targeting youth, whistle-blowers and critics of state security agencies.

“In the past three months alone, the killings and disappearances of Brian Odhiambo, Ibrahim Ramadhan, Dennis Muthui, and Form Three student Musa Kibet by state operatives illustrate the worsening situation,” said Njoki Gachanja, a Kenyan activist.

Otieno noted that the abduction and illegal detention of government critics, student leaders, and opposition members has become routine.

“Dozens of young NUP activists have gone missing or ended up in torture chambers after being abducted in broad daylight,” he said.

Trump position

Activists have also condemned a worrying trend of illegal cross-border deportations of dissidents.

“We are especially disturbed by the growing and illegal practice of cross-border deportations,” said Walid Sketty, an activist from Mombasa.

“In multiple recent cases, individuals have been forcibly returned to their home countries—into the very hands of the regimes they were fleeing,” he added.

Amnesty International has described the abductions of opposition politicians in Kenya and the lack of proper extradition procedures as part of “a worrying trend of transnational repression.”

Late last year, Kenya came under fire for deporting seven Turkish asylum seekers, in violation of international refugee law and the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they may face threats to their life or freedom.

“There is a global trend where the commitment to democratic values, the rule of law, and human rights is fading,” said Ngugi.

“The positions taken by the current US President, Donald Trump, seem to have emboldened some East African leaders. They are now edging closer to full-blown authoritarianism,” he observed.