Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, has revealed that 289 Rwandans were repatriated after falling victim to human trafficking abroad between July 2025 and March 2026.
Among those rescued, 101 were brought back from Cambodia, 58 from Laos, 31 from Myanmar, and 99 from Oman.
The figures indicate that several countries in Southeast Asia have become major destinations for trafficking networks that lure Rwandans with false promises of employment and better living conditions.
The Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration said it has introduced a digital system to combat cross-border human trafficking.
According to the agency, the system helped prevent 673 Rwandans who were at risk of being trafficked abroad from leaving the country over the past year.
Experts say human trafficking remains a growing global challenge, as traffickers continue to adapt their methods by exploiting social media platforms and advertising fake job opportunities to attract victims.
They stress that tackling the crime requires close cooperation between governments, international partners, and the public, particularly through information sharing and careful verification of recruitment agencies and individuals offering overseas employment.
The Rwandan government continues to urge citizens seeking jobs abroad to carefully verify employment contracts, avoid dealing with unauthorized recruiters, and remain vigilant against trafficking schemes that prey on people seeking better opportunities overseas.
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