Tanzanian authorities have come under sharp criticism after top security and government officials dismissed allegations of torture and censorship.
Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire claim they were detained tortured and sexually abused by Tanzanian security agents after being arrested by immigration officials.
But Dar es Salaam’s Special Police Zone Commander, Jumanne Muliro, has brushed off their claims as “personal opinions.”
“Hayo ni maoni yao, ni mtazamo wao,” said Muliro — (“Those are their opinions, their own perspective.)
“Wangekuwepo mimi ningehojiana nao” — (“If they were present, I would have interrogated them myself.”)
Muliro criticized the activists for going public instead of filing official complaints, suggesting their accounts are unverified and speculative.
His remarks have been viewed as dismissive and insensitive, especially given the severity of the torture allegations.
Human rights advocates say the response reflects a broader pattern of Tanzania’s reluctance to investigate abuses involving state actors.
“Unaongea kitu kwa niaba ya mtu ambaye baadhi ya maswali ningependa kumwuuliza yeye. Wewe nikikuuliza huwezi kujibu,” Muliro added
(“You’re speaking on someone else’s behalf, but there are questions I’d like to ask them directly. You wouldn’t be able to answer them.”)
The controversy deepened as Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, defended the government’s move to block social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying it was necessary to protect citizens from “explicit content.”
“Content that violates Section 16 of the Online Content Regulations is being removed to protect Tanzanians,” Silaa said.
But digital rights groups see this as censorship, warning that Tanzania is sliding into authoritarianism by silencing activists and cutting off vital communication tools.
