Rwanda Ministry of Justice: Rubavu Male Human Trafficking Warning, Men Primary Targets

• Rwanda's Ministry of Justice has warned of a rise in human trafficking, with men now constituting the primary target demographic.
• Male victims are frequently recruited for online scamming operations and by armed groups, a shift from previous patterns.
• Official data for the first half of 2026 recorded 204 incidents, with 163 involving male victims.
• The Rubavu District faces particular challenges, with many trafficking cases linked to illegal border crossings into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• National efforts to combat trafficking include preventing deceptive recruitment, promoting online safety, and ensuring safe migration.

A notable trend reveals that male victims now outnumber females, frequently ensnared in online scamming operations and recruitment by armed groups.

Rwanda's Ministry of Justice has issued a significant alert concerning a notable increase in human trafficking cases, highlighting a critical shift in victim demographics. For the first time, men are now identified as the primary targets, surpassing women in vulnerability to these illicit schemes. This development was articulated by Joselyne Ingabire, the Senior State Attorney responsible for International Justice and Judicial Cooperation, during a recent public awareness initiative.

According to Ingabire, male victims are predominantly lured into two distinct forms of exploitation: participation in online scamming operations and recruitment by various armed groups. This evolving threat underscores a changing landscape of human trafficking within the region, demanding updated strategies for prevention and intervention. The warning specifically brings into focus the heightened risks faced by men, particularly in border areas like Rubavu, where vulnerabilities are exacerbated by geographical proximity to conflict zones.

Official data from the Ministry of Justice provides a stark illustration of this trend. During the initial six months of 2026, a total of 204 human trafficking incidents were officially recorded. A significant majority of these, specifically 163 cases, involved male victims, confirming the demographic shift. These figures build upon previous efforts, which saw 297 victims repatriated to Rwanda in the preceding year, alongside 12 successful court prosecutions related to trafficking offenses.

Ingabire emphasized that these statistics unequivocally demonstrate the pervasive and serious nature of human trafficking, characterizing it as a global challenge that profoundly impacts Rwanda. While young individuals aged 18 to 35 remain the most susceptible demographic, the attorney noted a distinct change in the gender composition of victims. Historically, women were the primary targets, often trafficked for purposes such as sex work and domestic servitude. However, the current landscape reveals a rising incidence of male victims, coerced into forced scamming activities and enlistment with armed factions.

Concerns regarding human trafficking are particularly acute in the Rubavu District, a region bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. Local authorities in Rubavu echo the Ministry of Justice's warnings, with Mayor Prosper Mulindwa pointing to a direct correlation between trafficking incidents and illegal border crossings into DR Congo. He explained that individuals who cross the border unlawfully often find themselves stranded, subsequently becoming targets for recruitment by armed groups operating in the eastern part of the DR Congo.

Further illustrating this danger, Francoise Manishimwe, a Rubavu resident residing near the Goma border, shared her firsthand observations. She recounted how young people are specifically targeted by armed factions, including a group known as 'Wazalendo.' These groups reportedly deceive individuals with promises of military employment across the border, leading to their disappearance. Manishimwe herself was once approached with an offer for a tax collector position in a neighboring country, an offer she ultimately declined, highlighting the deceptive tactics employed by traffickers.

The Ministry of Justice's warning is part of a broader national strategy to combat human trafficking in Rwanda. This comprehensive approach focuses on several key pillars, including the prevention of deceptive recruitment tactics, enhancing online safety measures, promoting safe migration practices, and establishing robust referral mechanisms for victims. The awareness campaign in Rubavu District, where Ingabire delivered her remarks on Wednesday, September 15, underscores the government's commitment to addressing this evolving threat.

This shift in trafficking patterns, particularly the increased targeting of men for online scamming and armed group recruitment, necessitates a re-evaluation of risk assessments and advisory practices. The emphasis on digital fraud and cross-border recruitment by armed groups signals a dynamic threat environment that requires continuous adaptation of legal and regulatory frameworks to protect vulnerable populations.

Legal and compliance professionals in Rwanda should update their risk assessments and client advisories regarding human trafficking, focusing on the rising vulnerability of men to online scamming and recruitment by armed groups, especially in border regions like Rubavu. This signals potential shifts in enforcement priorities and the need for enhanced due diligence.

Source: Reporting based on information from The New Times.