Principal Resident Magistrate Roderick Michongwe has sentenced Ruchiko Muhinozi Issa, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, to 12 years in prison with hard labor.

Issa had pleaded guilty to three human trafficking related offenses.

According to the court hearing, Issa, along with two other Congolese nationals, aided and abetted the illegal entry of a group of 17 basketball players from the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 22, 2022.

The group was transported through unchartered routes, a violation of immigration laws.