The Government of Rwanda has shut down 101 alcohol production facilities and revoked their manufacturing licences as authorities intensify efforts to combat the production and sale of illicit alcoholic beverages.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 3, the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority announced that the affected facilities were no longer permitted to manufacture alcoholic drinks. The products include vodka, gin, flavoured wines, and banana based alcoholic beverages.
The regulator also directed all manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to immediately remove the affected products from the market, suspend their distribution, and take down all related advertising materials.
The Rwanda FDA warned that failure to comply with the directive would attract legal action. It also urged members of the public to avoid consuming alcohol produced by the blacklisted manufacturers due to concerns over public health and safety.
Among the companies affected are Kasesa Distillers and Distributors Ltd, producer of African Gin, and Yego Manufacturers Ltd, which manufactures Leyon Vodka, Lion Heart Rum, and Gorilla Gin.
The latest action comes just one day after authorities ordered the closure of eight other liquor manufacturers, including Ingufu Gin, NBG, Sky Drop Industries, Africana Buffalo, Nopa Company, Roots Investment Group, Rugal Agro Processing Company, and Zhonglu Industrial Liability Company.
The crackdown follows increasing concern over the impact of illicit alcohol in Rwanda. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health launched the Tunywe Less campaign to encourage responsible alcohol consumption after studies showed rising drinking rates, particularly among young people.
According to the Rwanda Biomedical Centre's 2022 survey on non communicable disease risk factors, alcohol consumption increased from 41 percent of the population in 2013 to 48 percent in 2022.
Data from the latest Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey also found that 15 percent of men and 7 percent of women consume alcohol every day. Among adults aged between 15 and 49 years, half of men and 36 percent of women reported drinking alcohol during the month preceding the survey.
Speaking on Rwanda Television, Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana revealed that more than 500 people have been treated this year for illnesses linked to illicit alcohol. He said around 50 people have died, while more than 100 others have suffered vision loss as a result of consuming unsafe alcoholic drinks.
