Dar es Salaam’s Special Police Zone Commander, Jumanne Muliro, has firmly denied claims made by Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, who allege they were tortured by Tanzanian police following their detention by immigration authorities.
Muliro labeled the allegations as mere personal views, asserting that the activists should have followed official procedures if they had complaints. “Hayo ni maoni yao, ni mtazamo wao. Kama wanachosema ni hivyo basi waofficiate kwenye mamlaka ya kuzungumza. Yaani mimi naiona ni kama ni mtazamo, ni maoni tu. Wangekuwepo mimi ningehojiana nao,” Muliro stated. He criticized the activists for releasing a public statement instead of approaching Tanzanian authorities to raise their concerns.
“Nilitamani kama ni yeye ndiye angekuwa akiongea na mimi ili niulize vitu vingi, niwape nafasi nzuri ya kujua anaongea kitu gani. Unaongea kitu kwa niaba ya mtu ambaye baadhi ya maswali ningependa kumwuuliza yeye. Wewe nikikuuliza huwezi kujibu,” he added.
The Tanzanian police’s reaction, seen by many as dismissive, has sparked renewed unease over the delicate diplomatic relationship between Tanzania and Kenya.
At the same time, Tanzania’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, defended the government’s decision to block the social media platform X.
According to Silaa, the ban is meant to protect Tanzanians from inappropriate and harmful content, in line with Section 16 of the Online Content Regulations.
“Content that violates Section 16 of the Online Content Regulations is being removed to protect Tanzanians,” Silaa stated.
However, digital rights groups have criticized the move, warning that it threatens free expression and limits public access to important information.
