How Tanzania engaged ruthless diplomacy detaining Ugandan director

The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) has tried to establish the basis of Tanzanian authorities in detaining one of its bosses but in vain.

CIPESA Executive Director Dr Wairagala Wakabi was upon arrival on Tanzanian grounds arrested and then deported back to Uganda under unclear circumstances.

Dr Wakabi had been invited to Tanzania to participate in the annual commemoration of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders’ Day hosted by the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) on Saturday.

According to lawyers from THRDC, authorities blocked access to Dr. Wakabi, stating that he is under interrogation.

“We strongly condemned this untimely and unnecessary detention of our guest from our neighbouring country Uganda. We call upon all members of the East African Community (EAC) to condemn  this tendency of disturbing citizens of EAC when travelling within the subregion,” stated Onesmo Olengurumwa, the THRDC National Coordinator.

After hours of interrogation, Dr. Wakabi was deported back to Uganda. Lawyers have remained unable to establish the basis of the detention and deportation.

They report that authorities denied him entry into Tanzania on grounds of “national interest”.

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