Woman arrested for suspected human trafficking

RWAMAGANA - A 41-year old woman was yesterday arrested and detained at Rwamagana Police Station, for allegedly turning teenage girls into commercial sex workers. Domina Mukakarangwa, is alleged to have been responsible for the disappearance of two girls; Grace Mukamuhizi, 15, and Jacqueline Uwimbabazi, 17, who are said to be holed up in Kigali as concubines. Both victims are from Binunga village of Munyiginya sector in Rwamagana district. The suspect’s arrest followed a series of complaints from suspicious parents, according to David Muhigirwa, the Executive Secretary of Munyiginya sector. He said that the accused was engaged in suspicious activities that endangered the lives of teenage girls in general. “Gross immorality of this nature against our children is not acceptable in our society. We found some of the clothes belonging to the missing girls in her house which we will use as exhibits in court once the prosecution is ready.” He said. “Witnesses are saying that she bought beers for the victim girl teenagers and lured them into promiscuity.” Maria Mugorewera and Jacqueline Kundimana the respective parents of the victims, have asked the accused to disclose the whereabouts of their children. “She hid our children for a few days and later sold them off in Kigali as sex workers. Her own neighbours have since confirmed our allegations and fears. We are now demanding that justice be done through punishment of the culprits,” said the parents angrily. Mukakarangwa, however, denied the allegations, arguing that she is a ‘Good Samaritan’, who was only taking care of the children until they disappeared without her knowledge. “I am a saved person who was helping the two girls to earn their daily bread. I don’t know how they got the money with which to travel to Kigali without my knowledge. I had rescued them from irresponsible and drunken parents on humanitarian grounds,” she said. Police is still carrying out investigations pending possible prosecution. Ends