NAIROBI, Kenya — U.S. Senator James Risch has put East African governments on notice, warning that the wave of abductions and torture targeting activists is alarming.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, May 29, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman said the escalating human rights violations reflect deeper issues of “state decay and impunity” that endanger both regional stability and American interests.
“Rising abductions and torture in East Africa signal more than abuse – they expose state decay and impunity. That’s a direct threat to regional stability, security, and U.S. interests,” Risch posted on X.
The senator’s warning follows the disturbing case of two East African activists—Kenyan photojournalist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire—who were abducted and allegedly tortured while in Tanzania earlier this month.
Both had travelled to observe court proceedings against Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges. Shortly after arriving, they were arrested and held incommunicado.
The U.S. Bureau of African Affairs issued a sharp rebuke following the activists’ release, highlighting not only the gravity of their alleged mistreatment but also their prominence in human rights advocacy.
“The United States is deeply concerned by reports of the mistreatment in Tanzania of two East African activists – Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi,” the bureau posted on X.
“Atuhaire was recognized by @StateDept in 2024 as an International Women of Courage Awardee. We call for an immediate and full investigation into the allegations of human rights abuses. We urge all countries in the region to hold to account those responsible for violating human rights, including torture.”
Mwangi resurfaced on May 22 in Ukunda, Kwale County, Kenya, after being deported by Tanzanian authorities. His account of the ordeal was harrowing.
Atuhaire, meanwhile, was found at the Mutukula border between Tanzania and Uganda, also reportedly in poor condition. While Tanzania has remained silent on the matter, the diplomatic fallout is growing.
Human rights watchdogs and advocacy groups across East Africa have condemned the arrests, and now—with U.S. officials raising the stakes—the call for accountability is only intensifying.
The episode underscores a broader trend of shrinking civic space in the region, where activists, journalists, and opposition voices continue to operate under increasing threat.
As Senator Risch and the U.S. State Department amplify global attention, one message is clear: the silence surrounding these abuses is no longer an option.
