President William Ruto, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni are facing allegations of overseeing a regional crackdown marked by enforced disappearances, torture and the suppression of dissent.
In a statement dated June 29, 2026, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) linked all three heads of state to a growing pattern of abductions, torture and the silencing of dissenting voices across East Africa.
“President William Ruto, illegitimate President Samia Suluhu Hassan, President Yoweri Museveni, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and all regional security and justice institutions must know that enforced disappearance is not governance. Abduction is not law enforcement. Torture is not national security,” part of the statement read.
According to the statement, President Ruto faces accusations tied to the arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearance of seven Kenyan human rights defenders during a wreath-laying ceremony on June 25.
Tanzania’s President Suluhu Hassan, described as an “illegitimate president” in the statement, is tied to the reported abduction of David Nikindikwa, who was allegedly seized during an X Space on the same date.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, alongside his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, is linked to reports of activist Maria Matembe going missing, part of what KHRC describes as a coordinated regional crisis.
According to the commission, all three leaders have allowed their security apparatus to treat protest, journalism and human rights work as criminal acts punishable by disappearance.
KHRC is now calling for the immediate and unconditional resignation of Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, his deputy Eliud Lagat and all senior officers linked to the disappearances and torture.
The commission further demands that three activists, Abdulaziz Molu, Michael Oloo, and MacMillan Kiarie Mugo, who are still missing, be unconditionally produced before a court of law or released without delay.
