Tanzania opposition figure Tundu Lissu arrested in crackdown
Dar es Salaam, Aug. 12—Tanzanian police have arrested prominent politician Tundu Lissu and two other opposition Chadema officials, the party has said.
It says the three were detained on Sunday in the south-western town of Mbeya, on the eve of their planned rally to mark the World Youth Day.
The reported arrests come a year after President Samia Hassan lifted a ban on opposition gatherings and promised to restore competitive politics.
On Sunday the police banned the Chadema rally saying it was intended to cause violence.
They cited the party’s rallying call for people to come together like the “youth in Kenya” – apparently referring to the weeks of deadly anti-government demonstrations in the neighbouring East African country.
On Monday morning, a Chadema official told the BBC that they did not know where the detained leaders were being held.
The police have not officially spoken about the arrests. The BBC has contacted them for comment.
Chadema spokesman John Mrema said groups of youths travelling in hired buses were arrested and forced back to their respective regions under armed escort.
About 10,000 young people were set to meet in Mbeya to celebrate youth day, with the slogan, “Take charge of your future”, according to the party’s youth wing.
But police said in a statement that no such meetings would be allowed in the city or elsewhere in the country.
They cited the party’s rallying call for people to come together like the “youth in Kenya” – apparently referring to the weeks of deadly anti-government demonstrations in the neighbouring East African country.
On Monday morning, a Chadema official told the BBC that they did not know where the detained leaders were being held.
The police have not officially spoken about the arrests. The BBC has contacted them for comment.
Chadema spokesman John Mrema said groups of youths travelling in hired buses were arrested and forced back to their respective regions under armed escort.
About 10,000 young people were set to meet in Mbeya to celebrate youth day, with the slogan, “Take charge of your future”, according to the party’s youth wing.
But police said in a statement that no such meetings would be allowed in the city or elsewhere in the country.
Chadema officials shared pictures of a large group of about 100 party members who they said had been detained in Iringa, a town close to Mbeya. They were later released and escorted back to where they had come from.
Chadema has condemned the arrests, with party chairman Freeman Mbowe demanding in a post on X “the immediate, unconditional release of our leaders, members, and supporters arrested across the country”.
Mr Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017 after being shot 16 times, returned to Tanzania last year after two years in exile in Belgium.
He returned after President Samia lifted a ban on political rallies imposed by former President John Magufuli in 2016.
The ban had prohibited political parties from holding rallies and even engaging in internal political activities.
Ms Samia, who came to power in 2021 following Mr Magufuli’s sudden death, was praised for moving away from many of her predecessor’s policies.
But in the wake of the arrests, some opposition politicians have criticised her, saying she is not ready for political reconciliation.
Tanzania is due to hold presidential and parliamentary polls late next year.
Tanzania opposition figure Tundu Lissu arrested in crackdown
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum