Tanzania’s official opposition party, Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), has issued an update after claiming that Brenda Rupia, the party’s Director of Communications and Publicity, was detained by Tanzanian authorities at the Namanga border while attempting to enter Kenya.

In a statement on Saturday, July 12, 2025, Chadema explained that Rupia was detained at Namanga, and later she was transferred to the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Arusha.

Chadema further added that Brenda Rupia was transported under heavy police surveillance to Dar es Salaam.

The party issued the statement while condemning President Samia Suluhu’s administration for blocking another opposition figure, Leonard Joseph Magere, who was scheduled to fly out to the UK.

“Leo hii, Bi Brenda Rupia, Mkurugenzi wa Mawasiliano na Uenezi wa Chadema, alizuiwa katika mpaka wa Namanga, na kupelekwa ofisi ya RCO Arusha na baadaye kusafirishwa usiku huu kuelekea Dar es Salaam akiwa chini ya ulinzi wa vyombo vya dola,” the party’s statement read in part.

Detention

Earlier, Chadema had decried Rupia’s denied entry to Kenya and claimed that there was a plan to deport her. According to the party, Rupia was headed to Germany through Nairobi, where she had a scheduled meeting.

“We wish to inform the public that today, Saturday, July 12, 2025, our Director of Communications and Publicity, Ms. Brenda Rupia, was denied entry into Kenya and is currently being detained by authorities at the Namanga border. We have received credible information that the authorities intend to forcibly deport her to Dar es Salaam,” the opposition revealed via its X page.

“ Rupia was en route to Nairobi for a scheduled meeting before travelling onward to Munich, Germany, where she was expected to participate in a training on democracy and elections,” the party said.

While voicing its concern with the development, Chadema called out President Samia Suluhu for attempts to restrict the movement of the opposition politicians.

“Chadema strongly condemns these continued acts of political persecution aimed at silencing and isolating the party’s leadership from regional and global democratic platforms. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Ms. Brenda Rupia and call upon the government to respect her constitutional right to freedom of movement and political participation.”

Tunapenda kuutaarifu umma kuwa leo tarehe 12 Julai 2025 Bw. Leonard Joseph Magere, Mtaalamu wa Rasilimali, Miradi na Uwekezaji, amezuiwa na mamlaka ya uahamiaji kusafiri kuelekea nchini Uingereza usiku huu. pic.twitter.com/R6tGwQ3WCQ

— Chadema Tanzania (@ChademaTZ2) July 12, 2025