Rwanda repatriated 297 citizens who had been trafficked to four countries between July 2025 and June 2026, with young people making up the majority of those rescued, according to the Ministry of Justice.
The figures were released on September 15 during a government awareness campaign in Rubavu District focused on preventing and combating human trafficking.
Ingabire Joselyne, an international justice officer at the Ministry of Justice, said human trafficking remains a serious challenge, particularly as traffickers increasingly use technology to target people seeking employment and other opportunities abroad.
She said the 297 Rwandans had been trafficked to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Oman, with most of the victims being young people.
Rwanda is also pursuing suspected traffickers through the courts. The ministry said 11 human trafficking cases involving 12 accused people were recently concluded, underscoring that the crime is also committed within the country.
People rescued from trafficking are provided with medical care and other specialised support. The ministry said victims can remain under its care for up to six months before being reunited with their families, depending on their needs.
Rwanda has ratified international agreements aimed at combating human trafficking and continues to focus on preventing the crime, prosecuting perpetrators and supporting victims.
Ministry of Justice figures show that 54 people were convicted of human trafficking offences between 2023 and 2025. Of these, 24 were convicted in 2023, 18 in 2024 and 12 in 2025.
The ministry is also reviewing whether human trafficking should be classified as an offence that is not subject to a statute of limitations. It said evidence in trafficking cases can sometimes take years to emerge, potentially limiting victims’ access to justice.
