Authorities in Kigali have seized more than 470,000 litres of ethanol in a four-day operation targeting illegal alcohol production, as Rwanda intensifies its fight against unsafe alcoholic beverages.
The Rwanda National Police said the operation began on August 2, 2026, focusing on collecting ethanol used by illegal producers to manufacture substandard alcoholic drinks that threaten public health.
CIP Wellars Gahonzire, Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, announced the figures on August 5 during the destruction of ethanol recovered from facilities linked to the production of illicit alcohol.
He said the collected ethanol will be destroyed to prevent it from being diverted back into the production of unsafe beverages.
“We have identified more than 470,000 litres of ethanol in Kigali that must be destroyed so it does not continue contributing to the production of alcohol that harms people’s health,” Gahonzire said.
The police spokesperson warned that illicit alcohol consumption has also been associated with increased security challenges, including cases of violence and other crimes committed by intoxicated individuals.
The operation is part of broader government measures to curb the production and sale of substandard alcoholic drinks.
Rwanda FDA recently suspended the issuance of permits for importing neutral spirit ethanol and stopped processing new applications, citing concerns over its misuse in illegal alcohol production.
Ethanol is the main alcohol component found in alcoholic beverages and can be produced from crops such as grapes, sugarcane, maize and sorghum. However, authorities warn that improper processing can lead to contamination with methanol, a toxic substance that can cause severe health effects.
The Ministry of Health has reported rising concerns over the impact of unsafe alcohol consumption. Between January and July 2026, health facilities across Rwanda treated more than 500 people who fell ill after consuming alcohol. During the same period, 50 people died, more than 11,000 were admitted for alcohol-related conditions, over 100 suffered permanent blindness and 20 children required dialysis.
In recent weeks, Rwanda FDA has shut down 136 factories involved in producing or distributing illicit alcoholic beverages and suspended 52 imported alcohol brands as part of nationwide efforts to safeguard public health.
