Reporter, Dickson Ng’hily. Photo: Courtesy
Journalist Arrested for Exposing Deplorable School Conditions in Tanzania, Sparks National Outcry
By Adonis Byemelwa
The Tanzanian Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) has strongly criticized the recent arrest of Dickson Ng’hily, a journalist and the Digital Business editor at The Guardian newspaper, along with several teachers whose exact number remains undisclosed.
Their alleged offense? Capturing photographs of students studying under trees at Kwembe Primary School. Ng’hily reported sustaining injuries and a broken phone during the incident, which took place under the jurisdiction of Ubungo District authorities.
In a WhatsApp message, Ng’hily detailed the physical assault he endured, stating that his arm was severely beaten and his phone’s screen shattered. Following the arrest, he was taken to the local government office and is currently being held at the Ubungo District Commissioner’s office.
“I was arrested by teachers at Kwembe Primary School in Kwembe Ward, Ubungo District,” he recounted. “They started beating me and then instructed students to attack me upon discovering me taking photos of them studying outside under a tree.”
“After they injured me, they brought me to the Ward Executive Office, where heated arguments ensued. They demanded that I delete the photos I had taken before they would consider releasing me,” Ng’hily added.
He continued, stating, “They refused to take me to the Ubungo District Commissioner’s Office. They confiscated my ID and phone but allowed me to answer incoming calls. During one such instance, I managed to clandestinely send some of the photos elsewhere without their knowledge.”
“After prolonged arguments involving the District Administrative Secretary (DAS), who intervened following instructions from the absent District Commissioner (DC), they finally instructed me to delete the photos before allowing my departure,” he said. “They claimed I had taken photos of children on school premises. I clarified that I was not even near the school; I was far away. Even if someone tried to identify a child or student, distance would make it impossible.”
The THRDC, closely monitoring the situation, vehemently defends Ng’hily’s actions as protected under Article 18 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, which guarantees freedom of expression and the right to disseminate information to the public. They assert that photographing public spaces, including schools, is a legitimate journalistic practice aimed at highlighting societal issues.
The incident underscores broader concerns about press freedom in Tanzania. The government has increasingly faced criticism for attempts to stifle media reporting on infrastructure deficiencies and other societal challenges. Critics argue that such actions threaten democratic principles and hinder efforts to address public concerns effectively.
Recently, there has been a pattern of crackdowns on journalists and online critics. This crackdown includes legal threats and intimidation tactics aimed at silencing dissenting voices. Human rights groups and media watchdogs have raised alarms over what they perceive as a growing trend of authoritarianism, with the government accused of using legal frameworks to suppress independent journalism.
The arrest of Ng’hily and the subsequent outcry highlight the delicate balance between press freedom and government control in Tanzania. As the country prepares for the 2025 General Election, tensions surrounding media freedom are expected to intensify. Many fear that restrictions on journalistic freedoms could undermine transparency and accountability during the electoral process.
Ng’hily’s case is not an isolated incident but part of a larger narrative of press freedom challenges in Tanzania. Advocacy groups like THRDC continue to call for the release of Ng’hily and the protection of journalists’ rights to operate without fear of reprisal.
On February 16, 2020, former Arusha Regional Commissioner, Mrisho Gambo, sparked controversy by ordering police to hunt down individuals who criticized road conditions within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area on social media.
Gambo equated the online posts to economic sabotage, insisting proper channels should have been used for such complaints.
He, however, gave authorities a seven-day ultimatum to apprehend those allegedly undermining water infrastructure at the vital Kandet source, crucial for onion farmers in Karatu District.
The government’s response to these criticisms has been mixed. While officials have defended actions taken against what they describe as undermining national interests, civil society organizations argue that such measures restrict the public’s right to access information and participate in public discourse.
In light of these developments, international observers and human rights organizations have urged Tanzanian authorities to uphold constitutional freedoms and ensure that journalists can operate freely and safely. The outcome of cases like Ng’hily’s will be closely watched as a barometer of Tanzania’s commitment to democratic values and human rights ahead of the upcoming elections.
The debate over press freedom continues. Stakeholders within Tanzania and abroad are grappling with how best to support independent journalism while addressing legitimate concerns about national security and public order. The resolution of these issues will likely shape Tanzania’s democratic trajectory and international standing in the years to come.
