Rwanda has launched an operation to completely eliminate locally known “ibyuma” alcoholic drinks, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Felix Namuhoranye has said, warning that substance abuse is preventing young people from becoming productive contributors to national development.
IGP Namuhoranye made the remarks during the graduation ceremony of more than 2,001 young people who completed rehabilitation programmes at Iwawa Rehabilitation and Vocational Skills Development Centre.
Addressing the graduates, the police chief urged young people to stay away from drugs and harmful substances, saying that addiction affects their ability to contribute positively to society.
“Someone who has lost control of their mind is no longer a productive force for the country because they lack the strength to contribute. When you consume such substances, you become intoxicated,” Namuhoranye said.
He revealed that the government has intensified efforts to combat harmful alcoholic products, particularly “ibyuma”, which have been associated with serious health risks.
“You have heard about those drinks called ‘ibyuma’, haven’t you? I want to inform you that you will find they no longer exist. We are currently conducting an operation to completely eliminate ‘ibyuma’ across Rwanda,” he said.
The Minister of Internal Security, Dominique Habimana, said alcohol abuse remains one of the major factors driving young people into rehabilitation centres.
“About 95% of young people found in these rehabilitation centres are there due to reasons linked to alcohol consumption. Many start by drinking alcohol, later become heavy drinkers, and eventually turn to other forms of substance abuse,” Habimana said.
The Ministry of Health has reported that since the beginning of the year, unsafe alcoholic drinks and other beverages that fail to meet required standards have caused 50 deaths, while others have suffered serious health effects, including blindness.
Authorities say the crackdown on unsafe alcoholic beverages is being conducted alongside public awareness campaigns aimed at preventing substance abuse and protecting public health.
“Ibyuma” drinks, commonly sold in glass bottles, have been singled out as a major concern due to the misuse of ethanol during production, which can expose consumers to severe health consequences.
