Health Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana has said that drugs and substandard alcoholic drinks had become a serious threat in Rwanda, explaining that efforts to eliminate them are aimed at protecting public health and safeguarding the country’s future.
He made the remarks on Thursday, October 15, 2026, during discussions with members of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO), where he explained the reasons behind the decision to ban substandard drinks.
Dr Nsanzimana said the problem had gone beyond the health of those consuming the products, warning that it had also begun to pose a threat to national security, particularly among young people.
“The country was under attack,” he said.
He explained that world history offers examples of countries that have faced serious challenges due to drug abuse and excessive alcohol consumption, with lasting consequences for people’s livelihoods and the future of entire generations.
Citing China’s history as an example, he said drugs had been used in ways that caused severe harm to its population, stressing the importance of tackling the problem to protect both the country and its people.
The health minister noted that anyone seeking to destabilise a country does not necessarily need guns or other conventional weapons, as drugs can also have devastating effects on young people and public security.
He added that drug abuse was no longer merely a matter of consumption and trafficking but had become a broader public security concern. Combating it, he said, was therefore one way to protect people’s lives and the country’s future.
NFPO members also pointed to gaps in the inspection of products manufactured by industries, particularly substandard drinks that had remained on the market for some time and had reportedly claimed lives.
Their discussions focused on measures to address the problem, with particular emphasis on protecting public health, preventing harmful products from reaching consumers and strengthening quality inspections of drinks available on the market.
