Two Rwandan secondary school teachers have testified in court against a man accused of human trafficking. The teachers, aged 27 and 39, claim they were deceived into traveling to Israel for a two-day training program. They alleged that Niyomucamanza, the accused, had promised them a stipend of over five million Rwandan francs and had asked them to hand over money for travel arrangements.
The teachers' testimonies were presented at the High Court in Nyanza, Southern Province, on November 4, 2026. The first teacher, who has been teaching for 27 years in Ngororero District, said he met Niyomucamanza in June 2025 through a phone call from an unknown number. The accused allegedly told him about a two-day training program in Israel and promised him a stipend. The teacher claimed he handed over one million Rwandan francs to Niyomucamanza to facilitate his travel.
The second teacher, who has been teaching for 39 years in Rulindo District, also testified that he was contacted by Niyomucamanza in July 2025. The accused allegedly told him about the training program and asked for 500,000 Rwandan francs to cover phone expenses. The teacher claimed he handed over the money and later met Niyomucamanza in Kigali to finalize travel arrangements. Both teachers said they were stopped at Kigali International Airport on September 21, 2025, and informed that their travel plans had been canceled.
The prosecution alleges that Niyomucamanza's plan was to traffic the teachers to Israel. However, the accused has consistently denied the charges. The court heard that security agencies had received information about a potential human trafficking plot targeting Rwandans. When the teachers and the accused arrived at the airport, security personnel intervened, leading to Niyomucamanza being taken into custody.
The teachers described how they were misled into believing they were going for a training program. They claimed they had no idea they were being trafficked until they were stopped at the airport. The court was told that Niyomucamanza had promised them a stipend and other benefits to lure them into his plan.
The case has been adjourned to December 17, 2026, for further hearing. The prosecution has presented several pieces of evidence, including phone records and financial transactions, to support its claims. The teachers' testimonies are crucial to the case, as they provide firsthand accounts of the alleged human trafficking plot.
The alleged human trafficking plot highlights the risks faced by Rwandans who seek opportunities abroad. The case also underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation between security agencies and the public to prevent such crimes. The court's decision will be closely watched, as it will determine the fate of the accused and the future of human trafficking cases in Rwanda.
Key points
- Niyomucamanza denies the human trafficking charges.
- The teachers were stopped at Kigali International Airport.
- The case has been adjourned to December 17, 2026.
