Rwanda National Police has warned people organising house parties and other private events against serving alcoholic drinks that have been withdrawn from the market for failing to meet required safety and quality standards.
The warning follows the arrest of 20 young people who were found drinking alcohol, including products that had been removed from the market, during a house party in Niboye Sector, Kicukiro District, on Monday, August 10, 2026.
Kigali City Police spokesperson CIP Wellars Gahonzire said authorities will not tolerate the use of banned or substandard alcoholic drinks at private events.
“We want to warn people organising different events against using alcoholic drinks that have been withdrawn from the Rwandan market. Those who do so are violating the law and should be aware that they can face penalties,” Gahonzire said.
The arrests come amid a nationwide crackdown on the production, distribution and consumption of substandard alcoholic beverages. Rwanda National Police said the wider operation, which began on July 20, had resulted in 80 arrests by August 8, including industry owners and employees allegedly involved in the production and distribution of illicit alcohol.
In Kicukiro, authorities have also closed two factories accused of producing alcoholic beverages that failed to meet required standards.
The affected facilities include Yego Manufacture Ltd and Kasasa Distillers Distributors Ltd.
Authorities recovered more than 38,000 cartons of substandard alcoholic drinks and over 1,500 drums containing ethanol from the two facilities.
The nationwide crackdown follows growing concerns over the health and social consequences associated with illicit alcoholic beverages. Authorities have also linked their consumption to public-order problems, including violence and domestic conflicts.
Police are urging members of the public to comply with the ban and report continued production, distribution or sale of products that have been removed from the market.
Gahonzire also reminded people organising private events that holding a party in a home does not exempt them from complying with laws governing prohibited and unsafe alcoholic products.
