Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi alongside Agatha Atuhaire of Uganda for the first time since their arrest in Tanzania and later deportation, have narrated the harrowing torture they endured in Tanzania after being arrested for what authorities in Tanzania termed as interference in internal affairs by foreigners.

Mwangi and other activists from Kenya and Uganda had travelled to Dar es Salaam to observe a treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu but was arrested, tortured and deported back to Kenya where he was found dumped in Ukunda. His release was aided by public pressure in Kenya and constant diplomatic engagements.

Speaking in visible pain, Mwangi recounted how he was forced to strip naked and tortured while he was being suspended upside down while at the same time his mouth covered with certain objects to prevent him from screaming.

“They told me to strip naked, when I did, they removed my handcuff, I was grabbed by 4 men , lifted me up so fast, when they lifted me up, they tied me upside down, and then they started beating my feet,” said Mwangi.

While he says he was being tortured in the presence of his lawyers who could only watch helplessly, Mwangi faults the Kenyan government accusing it of siding with his tormentors rather than protecting its own citizen. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s earlier comments on Mwangi’s arrest had already received harsh criticism from a section of Kenyans who accused him of defending Tanzania.

“What they did to us, breaks me. My government let me down, my government sided with Suluhu’s government. I have been to Tanzania before, I was in Uganda when Bobi Wine was under house arrest, East Africa is home,” Mwangi added.

Ugandan Activist Agatha Atuhaire who went through a similar ordeal also narrated how he was forced to strip naked just like Boniface Mwangi, tortured in presence of her lawyer and was never told the charges for her detention.

“They ordered me to strip naked, and I was afraid, my fear always was being tortured. The first blow was on my back because I did not undress immediately. Then they violently undressed me,” said Agatha Atuhaire.

This incident further highlights how severely freedom of human rights is still restricted in East Africa despite constitutional guarantees in this region. It adds to the many incidents of human rights activists who have face harassment, arrest and detention across the region over the past years.