Abductions and Killings of Activists in East Africa Raise Questions About a New Liberation Movement

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The disappearance of Twaha Mwaipaya in Kenya, the killing of Robert Kabera in Uganda, the treason case against John Pambalu, and allegations of sexual torture against Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire in Tanzania are fuelling debate about the future of democracy, freedom and solidarity among citizens in East Africa.​

Is East Africa approaching a new liberation movement, this time not aimed at freeing the region from colonial rule, but at liberating its people from fear, political repression, intimidation and the use of state power against those demanding justice and accountability?

The question is gaining significance following a series of incidents involving activists, opposition leaders and government critics in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

The latest incident is the disappearance of Twaha Mwaipaya, an activist and member of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), who was reportedly abducted on October 25, 2026, in Kamulu, Machakos County, Kenya.

Read More: Pan African Solidarity Network (PASNet): Kenya haiwezi kuendelea kuwa kitovu cha utekaji wa watu Afrika Mashariki!

According to reports by Amnesty International Kenya cited by Reuters, Mwaipaya was travelling in a taxi to visit friends when unidentified individuals in three vehicles intercepted him and drove away with him.

The report said it was not known who was responsible, where he had been taken or whether he had suffered any harm. Amnesty called on the Kenyan government to establish his whereabouts and ensure his safety.

His disappearance has prompted reactions from activists in Kenya and Tanzania, including members of the Linda Mwananchi movement, who have called on the Kenyan government to investigate the incident, protect Mwaipaya and hold those found responsible accountable.

However, by the time the initial reports emerged, no independent evidence had established who was responsible for the incident.

Treason Cases and Fears of Shrinking Political Space​

While Mwaipaya’s disappearance continues to raise questions in Kenya, Tanzania is also facing debate over the space available to the opposition, freedom of expression and the use of criminal laws in political disputes.

On October 21, 2026, John Justine Pambalu, CHADEMA’s Director of Organisation and Elections, appeared before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam, where he was charged with treason.

According to the charge sheet, Pambalu is alleged to have intended, between September 1 and October 29, 2025, to persuade citizens to prevent that year’s General Election from taking place and to have pursued that intention through demonstrations allegedly aimed at compelling the government to act.

These are allegations by the prosecution that have not been established by a court judgment. CHADEMA has rejected the accusations.

Pambalu’s case comes as CHADEMA Chairman Tundu Lissu is also facing a treason case related to remarks he made at a party meeting in April 2025.

The cases have intensified debate about the boundaries between law enforcement and citizens’ right to participate in political activities.

For activists and government critics, the question is not only whether laws have been violated, but also whether the prevailing environment allows opposition parties to operate, citizens to criticise leaders and allegations of human rights violations to be investigated independently.

The government, for its part, has maintained that the authorities are responsible for protecting security, peace and stability, and that no one is above the law.

This difference in perspectives makes independent courts, transparent legal proceedings and freedom of expression essential to addressing doubts and strengthening public confidence in state institutions.

Robert Kabera: Fleeing a Country Does Not Mean Escaping Danger​

The debate over the safety of government critics outside their home countries has intensified following the killing of Robert Kabera, a Rwandan national who was a critic of President Paul Kagame.

Kabera, a former member of the Rwandan military who later became a musician and online content creator, fled to Uganda in 2020, claiming that he was facing political persecution.

His body was found on October 17, 2026, in Luwala, near Kampala. According to Human Rights Watch, his body had been decapitated and his head had not been found when the organisation issued its statement on October 22.

Kabera had previously expressed fears that he would be killed and reported threats and attacks against him while in Uganda.

Human Rights Watch has called on Ugandan authorities to conduct a prompt, independent and credible investigation, emphasising that the possibility that the killing was politically motivated should be examined alongside other evidence.

By the time the statement was issued, the motive for the killing and the people responsible had not been officially established. There was no evidence confirming that the Rwandan government was involved in the killing.

Nevertheless, the incident raises a major question: if a government critic flees to a neighbouring country seeking safety but continues to face threats and is eventually killed, where can that person find genuine protection?

Human Rights Watch has said Ugandan authorities must ensure that refugees and critics of other countries’ governments receive the protection they are entitled to.

Besigye: National Borders and Political Rights​

In 2024, East Africa witnessed another incident that raised questions about the safety of political opponents travelling to neighbouring countries.

Dr Kizza Besigye, a long-time opponent of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, disappeared in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024. Four days later, he appeared before a military court in Kampala, where he faced charges related to security and the possession of firearms and ammunition.

The incident raised concern because Besigye had been in Kenya, and the circumstances surrounding his transfer to Uganda prompted questions about the legal procedures governing the transfer of individuals from one country to another.

Amnesty International called for his release, saying the circumstances of his abduction violated human rights and legal procedures governing the transfer of suspects.

The Kenyan government said it was investigating how Besigye had been removed from the country. The Ugandan government said the operation involved cooperation with the authorities of the host country.

Reuters reported that the incident intensified criticism over the possibility of countries in the region cooperating to arrest or remove political critics across borders outside normal legal procedures.

The Besigye case and Mwaipaya’s disappearance raise questions about whether East African countries can maintain security cooperation without undermining the rights of refugees, opposition figures and human rights defenders.

Mwangi and Atuhaire: The Cost of Regional Solidarity​

In May 2025, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist and lawyer Agather Atuhaire were arrested in Tanzania while visiting the country to show support for CHADEMA leader Tundu Lissu in his treason case.

After being released and taken to the borders of their respective countries, both said they had been beaten, tortured and subjected to sexual violence while in detention in Tanzania.

During a press conference held in Nairobi on June 2, 2025, they gave detailed accounts of the alleged abuse they said they had suffered between May 18 and 23.

Amnesty International and other human rights organisations called for an investigation and for those responsible to be held accountable.

Tanzanian authorities did not publicly confirm the allegations in statements issued at the time, and Reuters said it could not independently verify them. The claims of torture and sexual violence should therefore be presented as allegations made by the victims, rather than as proven findings against any individual or institution.

Nevertheless, the incident sparked debate about the safety of people who cross national borders to support human rights and follow politically sensitive court cases.

Amnesty International called for an investigation into the activists’ arrests, incommunicado detention, allegations of torture and forcible removal from the country.

For civil society organisations, the issue went beyond an incident involving two individuals. It raised questions about how member states of the East African Community respect the rights of people who advocate for democracy in other countries.

Samia’s Remarks to Ruto and the Gen Z Debate​

The debate over activists’ safety took another turn when Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan met Kenyan President William Ruto in Tanzania in May 2026.

During a joint meeting involving the two leaders, Samia spoke about the need for Tanzania and Kenya to cooperate in dealing with young people she described as undisciplined. She criticised those who travel across East Africa claiming to fight for democracy while allegedly engaging in violence and destruction of property.

One of the remarks that sparked widespread debate was:

“If they come to my country, I give them the cane; if they come to yours, give them the cane so that they can learn discipline.”

Samia made the remarks while emphasising her position that firm action should be taken against those who incite violence and disrupt government stability.

The comments triggered debate because they came at a time when the region was facing complaints about the arrest of activists, allegations of abductions of government critics and the use of force against demonstrators.

The government’s position has been that peace and security are essential and that political activities should not be used as a pretext for property destruction or violence.

Human rights defenders, however, argue that the challenge lies in distinguishing criminal conduct that should be investigated from citizens’ rights to demonstrate, criticise leaders and demand political change.

This is where the debate about a new liberation movement takes on meaning: should government security be prioritised over citizens’ rights, or can political systems protect both at the same time?

Could These Events Give Rise to a New Liberation Movement?​

In East Africa, the cases involving Mwaipaya, Kabera, Besigye, Pambalu, Mwangi and Atuhaire could contribute to a shared debate about democracy and human rights. However, they are not sufficient evidence to conclude that a regional liberation movement has already begun.

Three factors could determine the direction of such a movement.

First, solidarity among citizens across borders. When Kenyan activists speak out about the disappearance of a Tanzanian, and Tanzanians follow the killing of a Rwandan government critic in Uganda, human rights issues increasingly become concerns for citizens across the region rather than for one country alone.

Second, the ability to turn anger into clear demands. A sustainable movement cannot rely on anger alone. It needs specific demands, such as independent investigations into disappearances, accountability for security agencies, judicial independence, the right to demonstrate and protection for political refugees.

Third, the role of regional institutions. The East African Community could provide a platform for discussing and monitoring compliance with human rights standards, rather than allowing security cooperation to focus solely on apprehending critics who cross borders.

However, there are significant obstacles. Governments have authority and security agencies that can restrict gatherings, while civil society groups may disagree over their objectives, methods and priorities. Moreover, not every crime against a government critic has been proven to be politically motivated or to involve state authorities.

Connecting these incidents therefore requires investigation, evidence and caution to avoid reaching conclusions before the facts are established.

What Does a New Liberation Movement Mean?​

The liberation being discussed today does not necessarily have to involve removing one administration and replacing it with another. It could instead mean efforts to build systems in which leaders are accountable, courts operate without pressure, police respect the law and citizens can express their views without fear of being abducted, tortured or imprisoned because of their positions.

In this context, Gen Z youth could play an important role in bringing about change because of their ability to use social media, connect information and stimulate public debate. However, lasting change also requires the participation of political parties, journalists, bar associations, universities, civil society organisations and ordinary citizens.

The direction of such a movement will also depend on how governments respond to citizens’ demands. Independent investigations, transparency and accountability could ease tensions and strengthen confidence in public institutions.

Conversely, if demands for justice continue to be ignored and the use of force replaces dialogue, public grievances could grow and attract broader support.