Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has sparked controversy after revealing that he was detained at Dar es Salaam Airport in Tanzania under the mistaken belief that he was on Interpol’s wanted list. During a recent interview with blogger Kogi, Owino shared his shocking experience of being held for over three hours upon arrival in Tanzania.
According to the legislator, his passport was flagged at immigration control, and authorities informed him that his name appeared on Interpol’s most wanted list. The situation left him bewildered, as he insisted that he had never been involved in any criminal activity. “I have never even stolen a chicken, so what is the problem?” Owino remarked, reflecting his disbelief at the confusion.
The detention, which Owino described as humiliating, prompted him to publicly call for an apology from Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Taking to his social media pages, the MP expressed his frustration, stating that it was “shocking” that Tanzania had listed him among Interpol’s wanted individuals. “President Samia owes me an apology,” he wrote, demanding a formal recognition of the mistake.
Despite the incident, Owino emphasized that he had no intention of pursuing the matter further with Tanzanian authorities, explaining that he had no pressing need to visit the country. He also questioned the value of engaging with Tanzania, saying, “What do I need from Tanzania that I can’t get in Kenya? I haven’t even exchanged a single Tanzanian shilling.”
This incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Babu Owino and neighboring Uganda. In May 2019, the Ugandan government banned the MP from entering the country, declaring him an “undesired person.” The decision followed his involvement in hosting Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine during his visit to Kenya. Both Owino and Wine were accused of making inciteful statements against Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s regime, leading to the travel ban.
Owino’s remarks regarding his ban from Uganda reveal his defiant stance. “If I go to Uganda, I am banned. I cannot enter Uganda,” he stated, showing no sign of backing down from his political principles.
The MP’s detention in Tanzania and his ongoing ban in Uganda highlight the complex political dynamics in East Africa, particularly with regard to freedom of movement and the political relationships between neighboring countries. While Owino’s comments may fuel further debate, they also bring attention to the diplomatic issues that arise when political figures clash with ruling regimes in the region.
