TLS president Boniface Mwabukusi, on his X page, demanded the police to release Mdude Nyagali alias Sumu ya Nge unconditionally, unharmed and explain why extrajudicial means were employed to abduct and assault him in the first place. This article revisits the trials and tribulations of Tanzania’s unique political activist Mdude Nyagali alias Sumu ya Nge, who has endured a lot of torments in the hands of the Tanzania police. This is his ordeal.
Mdude Nyagali alias Sumu ya Nge (also spelled Mpaluka Said Nyagali) is a prominent Tanzania human rights activist, author, and member of the opposition party Chadema. Known for his vocal criticism of government policies and advocacy for civil rights, he has faced repeated targeting by authorities, including arrests, torture, and abductions, particularly under the administrations of Presidents John Magufuli and his successor president Samia Suluhu Hassan.
@time_tv20 Rais wa TLS atoa tamko kuhusiana na mdude kutekwa na kuwataka walio mteka mdede wahakikishe anarudi salama
♬ original sound – Time TV
Key Details About Mdude Nyagali:
- Activism and Background.
Mdude has been a fierce advocate for democracy and good governance in Tanzania for over a decade. He authored Five Years of Pain, a memoir detailing his experiences with police brutality, false charges (including drug trafficking), and 414 days in prison during Magufuli’s presidency. His activism often focuses on exposing state-sanctioned violence and corruption.
Mdude Nyagali, a Tanzanian activist and CHADEMA member, has faced multiple abductions and arrests allegedly involving state authorities. Here is a chronological account of his documented abductions:
- August 2016: Arrest and Torture for Criticizing President Magufuli.
Mdude was arrested for allegedly insulting President John Magufuli on social media. During this detention, he was subjected to severe torture in secret locations. After his release, he publicly documented his ordeal in video clips and a manuscript, naming individuals involved and detailing the methods of torture used against him. His detractors are yet to be apprehended to date!
- May 2019: Abduction from His Shop in Vwawa.
On May 4, 2019, masked and armed police officers forcibly abducted Mdude from his shop in Vwawa, Mbozi District. Witnesses reported he was beaten during the abduction and transported to Dar es Salaam. Three lawyers filed a criminal application demanding his release, and villagers later found him abandoned in Makwenje village, Mbeya, severely tortured and weak. He was hospitalized but survived.
- November 2024: Arrest During Local Government Elections.
Mdude was arrested by police on November 22, 2024, while participating in local government elections. He remained in remand until December 3, 2024. Upon release, he displayed physical scars and described further mistreatment in custody.
- May 2025: Recent Abduction from Home in Mbeya.
On May 2, 2025, armed individuals claiming to be police officers broke into Mdude’s home in Mbeya at 2:00 a.m., assaulted him, and abducted him in front of his wife, Sije Mbugi, and infant child. Neighbors heard his cries for help but feared intervening. Bloodstains were left at the scene. CHADEMA organized search parties, but as of May 8, 2025, his whereabouts remain unknown. Police denied involvement but acknowledged investigating claims of officer participation.
Pattern of Persecution:
Mdude’s abductions are part of a broader trend of enforced disappearances targeting government critics in Tanzania, particularly opposition figures like CHADEMA members. His case mirrors others, such as journalist Azory Gwanda (missing since 2017), activist Ben Saanane (disappeared in 2016) and Deusdedith Soka (abducted on August 18, 2024) CHADEMA and human rights groups attribute these acts to state-sponsored repression.
A case study of Deusdedith Soka mirrors the abduction of Mdude Nyagali.
Deusdedith Soka Disappearance: Key Details and Context.
Deusdedith Soka, a 29-year-old Tanzanian opposition activist and youth leader of the CHADEMA party, was abducted on August 18, 2024, alongside colleagues Jacob Godwin Mlay and Frank Mbise, a motorcycle taxi driver. Their disappearance has sparked widespread concern about state-sponsored repression in Tanzania, particularly targeting opposition figures ahead of elections. Below is a synthesis of the case and its implications:
- Circumstances of the Abduction.
Soka and his companions were lured to the Chang’ombe Police Station under the pretext of recovering Soka’s stolen motorcycle—a tactic CHADEMA leaders later described as a trap.
Witnesses reported that a special police task force (allegedly operating outside legal frameworks) abducted the trio in the Buza area of Dar es Salaam. Prior to his abduction, Soka had publicly expressed fears for his life, stating in a media interview: They are snatching us like chickens.
- Political Context and Threats.
Soka was a vocal advocate for constitutional reform and organized protests against enforced disappearances. His activism directly challenged the ruling CCM party, which has governed Tanzania since independence.
In the weeks before his abduction, he survived an attack at his home and was arrested twice, including during a crackdown on CHADEMA members ahead of a planned demonstration. A Good Samaritan reportedly warned Soka of an imminent abduction days before he vanished, but he lacked viable protection options.
- Government Response and Legal Battles.
Authorities denied holding Soka. The High Court ordered police to investigate his whereabouts, but no evidence of his detention was found. CHADEMA accused security forces of orchestrating the abduction, citing a pattern of disappearances targeting opposition members, including Dioniz Kipanya and Ali Kibao (whose acid-doused remains were later discovered at Ununio in Dar-es-Salaam).
A suspicious message sent from Soka’s seized phone claimed he fled due to internal party conflicts—a narrative dismissed by his family as fabricated.
- Broader Pattern of Repression.
A 2025 LHRC report documented nearly 100 abduction cases between 2015–2025, with opposition figures like Soka frequently targeted. The report linked the surge to Tanzania’s 2024–2025 election cycle, noting increased violence and enforced disappearances.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemned Tanzania’s crackdown on dissent, citing arbitrary arrests, media censorship, and extrajudicial killings. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, initially seen as a reformist, has faced criticism for perpetuating repression inherited from her predecessor, John Magufuli.
- Family and International Appeals.
Soka’s family, including his uncle Didas Soka, has pleaded for answers, emphasizing his fight for democratic reforms. International bodies like the UN and Amnesty International have urged Tanzania to investigate enforced disappearances and uphold human rights, but responses remain inadequate.
Conclusion.
Deusdedith Soka’s case epitomizes Tanzania’s escalating political violence and shrinking civic space. His disappearance underscores systemic issues of impunity and the risks faced by activists opposing entrenched power structures. With elections approaching in late 2025, pressure mounts on the government to address these abuses—though hope for accountability remains tenuous.
Key Contextual Notes.
Legal Challenges:
Lawyers and activists repeatedly filed petitions to compel authorities to account for Mdude’s whereabouts, but investigations often stalled.
Public Outcry:
Social media campaigns like #BringBackMdudeAlive highlighted his plight, reflecting widespread concern over political violence.
Government Denials:
Authorities consistently dismissed allegations, framing some disappearances as “fabricated” to undermine the government.
- Alleged Police Involvement.
Prior Threats:
Days before the abduction, Mdude posted on social media that police were actively seeking his home address, offering bribes to acquaintances for information.
Pattern of Targeting:
His history includes multiple arrests, torture, and a 2019 abduction where he was dumped in a village after severe torture .
Video Evidence:
A video circulated online showed an individual claiming police officers offered payment to spy on Mdude’s whereabouts .
Despite these allegations, the Mbeya Regional Police Commander, Benjamin Kuzaga, denied police involvement and called for public assistance in locating Mdude.
- Political Context.
Mdude’s case fits a broader pattern of enforced disappearances and violence against opposition figures in Tanzania. A 2025 report by the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) documented nearly 100 such cases since 2015, with Chadema members frequently targeted. The incident also followed a separate attack on Catholic priest Charles Kitima, highlighting escalating tensions against government critics.
- Current Status.
As of May 8, 2025, Mdude remains missing. Chadema organized search parties in Mbeya, scouring forests and hospitals, but found no trace of him. Family and party members believe he is alive but fear for his safety due to the severity of the attack.
Why Would Police Target Him?
Criticism of Authorities:
Mdude’s activism directly challenges government accountability, making him a perceived threat.
Retaliation:
His book and social media posts expose systemic abuses, which authorities may seek to suppress.
Political Intimidation:
The abduction aligns with tactics to silence opposition voices, as documented in the LHRC report.
The Tanzanian government has yet to provide credible explanations, raising concerns about judicial independence and human rights protections. International actors, including the US Embassy, have condemned similar attacks, emphasizing the need for freedom of expression.
Read more analysis by Rutashubanyuma Nestory
