Ruto, Museveni and Suluhu Face Fresh Human Rights Allegations in Strong Regional Statement

President William Ruto of Kenya, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni have come under renewed criticism after a regional human rights organisation accused their governments of overseeing a worrying increase in enforced disappearances, torture, and the suppression of people who speak out against authorities.

In a strongly worded statement dated June 29, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) claimed that the three East African leaders are presiding over a growing pattern of human rights violations targeting activists, journalists, and government critics across the region.

According to KHRC, the recent incidents suggest a coordinated trend where state security agencies are allegedly using unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances, and intimidation to silence people exercising their democratic rights.

The commission issued a direct warning to President William Ruto, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and regional security and justice institutions, saying such actions cannot be justified under the guise of maintaining law and order.

In its statement, KHRC declared that enforced disappearances should never be accepted as a method of governance. The organisation further argued that abductions cannot be considered legitimate law enforcement and that torture should never be used as a tool of national security.

It stressed that the people of East Africa deserve protection under the law and should never be treated as individuals who can be hunted down, silenced, or made to disappear because of their opinions or activism.

The commission directly linked President William Ruto’s administration to the reported arbitrary arrest and disappearance of seven Kenyan human rights defenders.

According to KHRC, the activists were allegedly taken during a wreath-laying ceremony held on June 25 while participating in activities meant to commemorate victims of previous protests.

Meanwhile, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan was also criticised in the statement. KHRC referred to her as an “illegitimate president” while accusing Tanzanian authorities of involvement in the alleged abduction of activist David Nikindikwa.

The organisation claimed that Nikindikwa disappeared while participating in an X Space discussion on the same day, raising fresh concerns about the safety of online activists and critics in Tanzania.

In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, were also named in connection with the reported disappearance of activist Maria Matembe.

KHRC argued that her case reflects a broader regional crisis where human rights defenders are increasingly becoming targets of intimidation and enforced disappearance.

According to the commission, the actions witnessed across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania indicate that security agencies are increasingly treating peaceful protests, independent journalism, political opposition, and human rights work as criminal activities instead of protected democratic freedoms.

KHRC insisted that expressing different political opinions, participating in demonstrations, reporting on sensitive issues, or advocating for human rights should never expose citizens to arrest, torture, or disappearance.

The organisation warned that governments have a legal and moral responsibility to protect these freedoms rather than suppress them.

The commission therefore called on the three governments to immediately end all cases of enforced disappearances across the region.

It urged authorities to reveal the whereabouts of every missing person, conduct independent investigations into all reported cases, prosecute anyone found responsible, and ensure that no individual is punished because of political beliefs, activism, journalism, peaceful protest, or association with civil society organisations.

In Kenya, KHRC made several specific demands directed at the country’s security leadership. The organisation called for the immediate and unconditional resignation of Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat, and other senior police officers whom it believes should be held accountable over the alleged disappearances and torture of activists.

The commission also demanded that three activists who remain missing—Abdulaziz Molu, Michael Oloo, and MacMillan Kiarie Mugo—be produced before a court without any further delay or released immediately if they are being held unlawfully.

Another issue raised by KHRC concerns activist Bob Njagi, who is currently facing treason charges. The commission questioned the legal basis for those charges and argued that accusations of treason should never be used as a political weapon to intimidate or silence individuals who criticise the government or participate in peaceful activism.

The human rights body further called on authorities to ensure that all activists who have been recovered after allegedly being abducted receive comprehensive support.

This includes urgent medical treatment, psychological counselling, compensation where appropriate, and proper forensic documentation of any injuries they sustained while in captivity.

Particular concern was expressed over the condition of activist Davis Lichuma, who was reportedly found abandoned outside Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in critical condition after allegedly being subjected to abuse.

KHRC urged the government to guarantee that he receives specialised medical care and that investigators fully document his injuries as part of any future legal proceedings.

The commission said that providing justice for victims requires more than simply locating those who have disappeared. It insisted that governments must also hold those responsible accountable and establish safeguards to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Recent international assessments on political rights and civil liberties also paint a concerning picture for the three East African countries.

According to Freedom House, Kenya is currently classified as “Partly Free” with an overall score of 49 out of 100. The organisation notes that the country’s protection of fundamental rights declined slightly between 2024 and 2026, falling from 52 to 51 points.

During the same period, Kenya’s press freedom score also dropped from 53.2 to 49.4 amid growing concerns over the arrest of journalists, censorship, and increasing pressure on independent media.

Uganda is likewise rated “Partly Free” with an overall Freedom House score of 49 out of 100. However, its civil liberties score stands at just 34 out of 100, reflecting ongoing concerns about restrictions on basic freedoms.

Human rights groups have raised alarm over shrinking civic space following the introduction of restrictive legislation, while journalists, opposition figures, and activists continue to report cases of arrests, intimidation, physical assault, and alleged abductions by security agencies.

Tanzania remains classified as “Not Free”, receiving an overall Freedom House score of 28 out of 100. The country’s civil liberties score also declined slightly between 2024 and 2026, falling from 36 to 35.

Rights organisations attribute the decline to tighter restrictions on political gatherings, increased limitations on opposition activities, and growing concerns over the fairness of electoral processes despite earlier government promises of democratic reforms.

KHRC argues that these regional trends highlight the urgent need for East African governments to strengthen respect for human rights, protect democratic freedoms, and ensure that citizens are able to express themselves without fear of intimidation, unlawful detention, torture, or enforced disappearance.

The commission maintains that accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law remain essential if the region is to restore public confidence in its democratic institutions.

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