Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has warned traders and members of the public against hiding alcoholic beverages that have been withdrawn from the market, saying anyone found concealing the products will face legal consequences.
The warning comes as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on substandard alcoholic drinks, locally known as “ibyuma,” which have been linked to serious health concerns.
Several alcohol manufacturing companies have already been shut down, while others have had their operating licences revoked after inspections found violations of safety and quality standards.
RIB spokesperson Dr Murangira Thierry urged the public to support the recall campaign by reporting anyone attempting to hide or redistribute the banned products.
He said individuals should not attempt to move the drinks from warehouses or storage facilities to private homes, warning that law enforcement agencies have the authority to search any location where there are reasonable suspicions of criminal activity.
“Citizens should be the first to reject these products and report where they are being kept. Anyone who tries to move them from a depot and hide them in a residential house should know that law enforcement agencies can reach any place where there is suspicion of criminal activity. Even your room or under your bed is not a hiding place,” Dr Murangira said.
RIB also cautioned citizens against accepting requests from others to store the recalled beverages on their behalf, saying such actions could expose them to criminal liability.
“Do not allow anyone to convince you to keep these items for them, because you may end up committing an offence by storing and concealing illegal products,” he warned.
Dr Murangira called on families and communities to help educate others about the dangers of dealing in unsafe alcoholic beverages and to cooperate with authorities.
The warning follows a series of measures by Rwanda FDA, including the withdrawal of non-compliant alcoholic drinks from the market, closure of factories that violated regulations and removal of advertisements promoting the affected products.
