Police in Kagera Region have arrested two leaders of the women’s wing of ACT Wazalendo shortly after they attended a prayer gathering held in memory of the late councillor Dafroza K. Jakob.
Those arrested are Janeth Joel Rhite, Chairperson of the party’s women’s wing, popularly known as Ngome ya Wanawake, and the wing’s Deputy Secretary, Severina Mwijage.
The two were detained on Monday after participating in a prayer service at the home of the late Dafroza in Rwamachu area, Bwera Village, Buyango Ward in Missenyi District.
According to people who attended the gathering, police officers arrived at the scene shortly after the prayers and took the two leaders into custody.
Sources present at the event said the officers claimed they were acting on instructions from the district’s Officer Commanding District (OCD).
The prayer service had brought together relatives, friends and party members who gathered to pray for the late Dafroza, who served as a councillor under ACT Wazalendo.
Her death in October last year drew public attention after reports emerged that she died while in police custody, an incident that raised concerns among opposition leaders and rights activists.
The arrests have since sparked questions among party supporters and residents in the area, who said the gathering was peaceful and organised solely to remember the late councillor.
Police had not immediately issued an official statement explaining the reasons for the arrests by the time of publication.
