Rwanda National Police has warned that the grace period for voluntarily surrendering banned and substandard alcoholic beverages has ended, with anyone caught hiding, possessing or selling the products now facing arrest and prosecution.
CIP Gahonzire Wellars, Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, issued the warning on August 12, 2026, as authorities continued a nationwide operation to collect and destroy alcoholic beverages that fail to meet required standards.
Gahonzire said authorities had given traders and members of the public sufficient time to surrender the prohibited products voluntarily. Those who continue to conceal them will now be treated as offenders.
“Now, those we arrest will be detained because they have violated the regulations. We had enough time to sensitise and educate them. If someone voluntarily brings them, there is no problem. But anyone caught hiding them, whether information comes from residents or through our own inspections, and they had not reported them, will face prosecution,” he said.
He cited the seizure of more than 3,000 cartons of banned alcoholic beverages in Muhima, Kigali, where a trader had allegedly concealed the products. Police were alerted by another resident, leading to the seizure.
The case, according to Police, highlights concerns that some traders and individuals continue to hide or attempt to sell alcoholic beverages that have already been removed from the market.
Nearly four million bottles collected in Kigali
The enforcement campaign is continuing across Kigali and other parts of the country.
The City of Kigali reported that nearly four million bottles of alcoholic beverages locally known as “Ibyuma” had been collected across the capital’s three districts between August 2 and August 12.
Authorities have begun destroying the seized products as part of efforts to remove them from circulation.
In Nyabihu District, nearly 30,000 litres of alcoholic beverages produced by small-scale manufacturers were destroyed on August 12. Some of the products were reportedly made from bananas.
More than 2,500 litres were also destroyed in Karongi District, where some consumers described health and social problems they associated with the beverages.
More than 150 factories shut down
Ten days into the crackdown, the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) had closed more than 150 factories found to be producing substandard alcoholic beverages.
The regulator also suspended the products manufactured by the affected facilities and halted import permits for 47 types of alcoholic beverages.
The nationwide campaign began on August 2, with authorities targeting manufacturers, distributors and traders involved in the production or sale of alcoholic beverages that do not comply with required standards.
Police have now warned that the focus is shifting from public awareness and voluntary surrender to enforcement, with people found violating the restrictions facing legal action.
