A senior six student, who had been trafficked to Zambia on October 18, 2014 through Uganda and Tanzania has been reunited with her family.

Rwanda National Police, working closely with the Zambian, Ugandan and Tanzanian police as well as Interpol, investigations were carried out until she was successfully rescued.

"She was flown safely back and is in healthy condition. We would like to thank the close cooperation we received from Police forces in EAPCCO (Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation) in the entire rescue process,” ACP Tony Kuramba, Commissioner for Interpol in RNP, said.

"Through the close cooperation of Ministries of Gender and Family Promotion, Internal Security and Foreign Affairs, the matter was taken to the highest level in order to rescue and save the young lady. This is an indicator of the commitment and level of mobilization with which we seriously take the lives of Rwandans,” he added.

"Children should abide by the good advice they get from their parents and guardians so that they can avoid human traffickers who tempt them with lies of good job opportunities abroad – and instead, end up being sold into sex slavery and hard labour”.

On arrival at Kanombe Airport today, the young victim was overwhelmed when she was received by her family.

She narrated that her kidnapper met her in a taxi while she was on her way home, and lured into accepting a good job offer in Zambia, after which, they exchanged contacts and kept in touch constantly.

"He paid all expenses which included a passport, transport fare, feeding and accommodation. He gave me another simcard on which we communicated and discouraged me from telling my parents about the whole mission,” she said.

The suspect then transported her to Uganda, then to Tanzania, but she got suspicious and found a way to contact her parents back home, who immediately informed Rwanda National Police.

On reaching the Zambian border, he told her that he was not going to get her a job but rather, that he wanted to marry her.

"I regretted this and if I knew his intention, I would not have engaged in this risky venture. When I told him that I was not ready for marriage, he threatened me and told me that I owed him all the money he had spent on me for the journey,” she said.

She was then forcefully transported to Lusaka through a bus terminal – but Interpol was already investigating every development. Police later rescued her but the suspect eluded arrest and is still at large.

"Investigations are ongoing with all concerned authorities and we will not rest until we bring the suspect to justice,” Kuramba said.

Today, the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion kick started a positive Parenting campaign in Gatsibo District, Eastern Province, which is geared towards addressing gender based violence and human trafficking.