General (retired) James Kabarebe, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Charge of Regional Cooperation, disclosed this shocking revelation during a session with the Senatorial Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security on Thursday, October 26.

Among those rescued, Rtd Gen Kabarebe specifically mentioned young women aged between 18 and 20 years. When questioned about their intended destination, one of the victims initially claimed to be heading to Tanzania.

However, further inquiry by immigration officials revealed a hesitation, prompting a more thorough investigation, including an examination of her mobile phone. The investigation exposed that she was actually bound for Oman.

The plight of Rwandan women lured to the Middle East by false promises of well-paying jobs, only to face various forms of exploitation, is not uncommon.

Kabarebe stressed the Rwandan government’s unwavering commitment to combat this scourge, even in the face of the sophisticated tactics employed by human traffickers.

Senator Emmanuel Havugimana also emphasized the persistence of the problem and underscored the importance of cooperation and information sharing to effectively address it.

Currently, 1,780 Rwandans are known to be working in Oman, predominantly as domestic workers and in various other roles. Of those who have encountered problems in the country, 32 have already requested repatriation to Rwanda.

This revelation underscores the ongoing challenges posed by human trafficking and highlights the need for sustained vigilance, cooperation, and international collaboration to protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to this horrific practice.

The Rwandan government remains steadfast in its commitment to countering human trafficking and continues its efforts to rescue and support victims.