TANZANIA Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) and the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) have condemned the kidnapping and brutal murder of a child with albinism Asimwe Nobath (2).

On May 30th this year, an incident of kidnapping by unknown individuals in Bulamula Village, Kamachumu Ward in Muleba District, Kagera Region was reported whereby assailants snatched Asimwe from her mother Kebyera Richard and disappeared to unknown location.

After 19 days, Asimwe's body was found without limbs, hands, tongue and eyes, a situation which raised fear and concerns among residents.

Speaking at a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the two organizations called upon security institutions to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that all those involved are brought to justice as quickly as possible.

They said this was the time that the office of the Prime Minister (Labour, Employment, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities) should implement robust strategies to oversee the wellbeing of all people with albinism across the country.

"The brutal and cruel incident against this child should remind the government and all relevant authorities of the urgent need for collective efforts to combat abuse and cruelty against people with albinism in our communities,” said the statement.

The human rights organisations said the National Assembly should use the ongoing budget session to discuss and allocate special funds to strengthen protection for people with albinism at all levels.

“We call upon members of the public to stand together to expose and report anyone committing cruel acts against people with albinism,” said the statement.

The statement said that it was evident that attacks against people with albinism have resurged during this period leading up to the elections, especially targeting children, citing an example of the incident which took place back in 2015 in Rukwa Region.

In the incident a six-year-old boy named Baraka Cosmas was attacked while sleeping alongside his mother by unknown individuals who broke into their home and cut off his hand.