Authorities in Rulindo and Gatsibo districts have stepped up the crackdown on illicit alcohol, destroying tens of thousands of litres of substandard alcoholic drinks seized from illegal producers and traders.
The destruction exercises, conducted in collaboration with security agencies and local residents, are part of a nationwide campaign to remove banned and substandard alcoholic beverages from the market.
In Rulindo, the exercise was carried out on Sunday in Buyoga Sector, where authorities destroyed alcoholic drinks confiscated from shops, closed factories and other illegal production sites.
The seized drinks were disposed of by personnel wearing protective gear and poured into a specially dug pit.
In neighbouring Gatsibo District, authorities, residents and security agencies began destroying alcoholic drinks collected from different sectors and stored at a designated district site in Kiziguro Sector.
Authorities said 42,787 litres of illicit alcohol have been destroyed in Gatsibo, with the exercise expected to continue.
The crackdown comes amid growing concerns over the health risks associated with illicit and substandard alcoholic beverages, including drinks locally known as “ibyuma.” Authorities say some of these products have been linked to deaths and serious health complications.
The concerns have prompted authorities to ban the affected products and shut down factories found producing them. Some factory owners have also been placed under investigation.
Police have urged people still holding banned alcoholic drinks to hand them over for destruction, warning that anyone found in possession of the products will face legal action.
