A coalition of African democratic leaders has sharply criticised the governments of Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, accusing them of weaponising courts and state institutions to silence opposition figures and entrench authoritarian rule.
In a statement issued after a meeting in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the Platform for African Democrats (PAD) said the prosecution of opposition leaders had become “a feature of African autocracies” determined to destroy democratic practices through repression.
The statement, signed by former Botswana president Ian Khama on behalf of PAD, singled out the cases of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, Ugandan veteran opposition politician Kizza Besigye and Rwandan activist Victoire Ingabire as examples of what it termed “lawfare against democracy.”
Lissu trial condemned
PAD claimed Lissu’s treason trial had dragged on for more than 400 days after he called for constitutional and electoral reforms ahead of Tanzania’s October 2025 election.
According to the statement, Lissu’s party, Chadema, was barred from participating in the polls, which the group described as “openly rigged.”
The organisation also alleged that prosecutors relied on secret witnesses and closed proceedings that undermined the credibility of the trial.
PAD further raised concerns over Lissu’s health, noting that he has struggled to access specialised medical treatment following the 2017 assassination attempt in which he survived after being shot 16 times.
Uganda and Rwanda cases highlighted
The group also criticised Uganda’s handling of Besigye’s case, saying the opposition leader had spent more than 540 days in detention following his arrest in November 2024.
PAD accused Ugandan authorities of using a military court to try Besigye and alleged that the process mirrored tactics used elsewhere on the continent to prolong cases and intimidate critics.
The statement further referenced Uganda’s January 2025 election, claiming opposition figure Bobi Wine was denied victory in a “rigged election” before later fleeing the country over security fears.
In Rwanda, PAD condemned the arrest of Ingabire in June 2026, describing charges against her and members of her party, Dalfa-Umurinzi, as politically motivated.
Authorities accused the opposition figures of forming a criminal organisation and inciting unrest — allegations they deny.
Call for international pressure
PAD urged the international community to pressure the three governments into halting what it described as politically motivated prosecutions and demanded the immediate release of detained opposition leaders.
The organisation also called for proper medical care for Lissu and Besigye, saying both required urgent and regular treatment.
In its statement, PAD warned that democratic regression in East Africa risked worsening instability in a region already facing insecurity in Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia.
“The fight for democracy in Africa cannot be stopped by the actions of tyrants determined to hold onto power,” the statement said.
The remarks are likely to deepen scrutiny on governance and political freedoms in East Africa, where opposition groups and rights organisations have repeatedly accused governments of restricting dissent, allegations that authorities in the region have often denied.
