In a significant ruling, the High Court of Rutana sentenced Niyongere Egide accused of trafficking, to 10 years of penal servitude on October 18, 2024.
This verdict comes as a response to his apprehension for trafficking three Burundian minors to Tanzania. The court also ordered him to pay 3 million Burundian francs in damages.
The National Observatory for the Fight against Transnational Crime (ONLCT) commended the court’s decision and urged other judicial bodies to follow suit in combating human trafficking.
“We call on provincial governors in Muyinga, Cankuzo, Ruyigi, Rutana, and Makamba to prioritize the prevention of child trafficking in their security meetings because there is need for sustained efforts against this growing issue,” said the president and legal representative of ONLCT Prime Mbarubukeye.
Mr.Mbarubukeye said that the importance of collaborative action to protect Burundian children from exploitation and trafficking remains critical.
