Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire freed, dumped near Tanzania border

Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire has been released after four days in detention in Tanzania.

Human rights organisation, Agora Discourse, confirming the release on Friday morning, said that the advocate and human rights defender was dumped near Uganda’s border with Tanzania.

“We are relieved to inform the public that Agather has been found. She was abandoned at the border by Tanzanian authorities,” it said in a statement on X.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who stood in solidarity during this time. Your efforts truly made a difference.”

Nicholas Opiyo, another Ugandan activist, has also confirmed speaking to Atuhaire, whose health condition was not immediately established.

“Agather is on her way home. She was dumped at the Mutukula border last night. We spoke a little while ago,” said Opiyo.

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Further, renowned Kenyan journalist John Allan Namu confirmed the reports, saying: “Spoke to a colleague of Agather and I have been told that she too has been found.”

Uganda’s High Commission in Tanzania yesterday wrote to Tanzanian authorities to demand consular access and the release of their national, hours after Kenya made a similar request for activist Boniface Mwangi.

Mwangi and Agather were arrested on Monday, May 19, and detained together. Boniface was released yesterday and deported by road before being dumped in Ukunda, Kwale County.

“I’m very concerned about Agather because we were tortured together, and they did very cruel things to us,” said Mwangi upon his release.

The activists had travelled to Tanzania to show solidarity with opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is being tried for treason. They were also scheduled to attend a court appearance of Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye, on Tuesday, May 20.