How technology helped immigration officers intercept 673 human trafficking cases

Rwanda has prevented 673 people from being trafficked since 2025 through enhanced border screening systems, including digital technologies used to detect and stop suspected cases before they occur, Minister of Justice Emmanuel Ugirashebuja has said. Ugirashebuja made the remarks on Thursday, July 23, while appearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Unity and Security to discuss Rwanda’s implementation of international commitments on preventing and combating human trafficking. ALSO READ: Concerns grow over changing face of human trafficking The minister said the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) has established systems aimed at strengthening the prevention of cross-border human trafficking. These include the Interactive Advanced Passenger Information (iAPI) system, Passenger Name Record (PNR) system, Facial Recognition System (FRS) and Document Fraud Detection (DFD) system. “These technologies have helped prevent 673 people from being trafficked since 2025,” Ugirashebuja said. ALSO READ: Over 100 Rwandan human trafficking victims repatriated in one year He said the systems have been complemented by thorough screening at borders and continuous training programmes involving Rwanda’s border officers and officers from neighbouring countries to strengthen their ability to combat cross-border crimes. Ugirashebuja said human trafficking remains a complex crime because traffickers often operate across different countries, making prevention and investigations more challenging. He added that Rwanda has also continued awareness campaigns through community gatherings, schools, discussions with local leaders, transport operators, and media platforms to help prevent people from falling into trafficking networks. The minister said the government is also strengthening cooperation with other countries to prevent trafficking, noting that stopping people from being trafficked before they leave the country is more effective than addressing cases after victims have already been exploited. ALSO READ: Ending human trafficking is a collective duty Senator Hadija Murangwa, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Unity and Security, said more efforts are needed to address the mindset among some young people that opportunities abroad automatically translate into better lives. She said some young people are influenced by false information and promises shared through different platforms, without fully understanding the risks associated with travelling to unknown destinations. “Some young people have a mindset that going abroad is always a great opportunity, but they do not realise that they may be heading to a place where they do not know what awaits them. We need to help them understand that opportunities also exist where they are known and supported,” Murangwa said. She said some victims only manage to seek help after experiencing exploitation abroad, adding that traffickers often take away identity documents and communication devices from victims, making it difficult for them to contact families or authorities. “Preventing someone from being trafficked is easier than trying to repatriate them after they have already gone through that experience. That is why awareness and cooperation with other countries are important,” she said. Ugirashebuja said Rwanda continues to strengthen measures under the country’s law on preventing, suppressing and punishing human trafficking and exploitation of others, which is based on four pillars: prevention, prosecution, protection of victims and partnership. He said while technology and awareness campaigns have helped prevent trafficking, authorities continue to encourage citizens to share information that can assist in identifying trafficking networks and protecting potential victims.

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How technology helped immigration officers intercept 673 human trafficking cases