A crackdown on illicit and substandard alcoholic drinks known locally as “ibyuma” has contributed to a nearly 50% decline in assault and bodily harm cases in Rwanda’s Southern Province, according to police.
The Rwanda National Police says the campaign, which targets the production, storage and distribution of illicit alcohol, has also contributed to a reduction in domestic conflicts, theft and other offences across the province.
CIP Hassan Kamanzi, the police spokesperson for the Southern Province, said the impact of the campaign is becoming increasingly visible.
“Since we started these operations to destroy substandard alcoholic drinks, we are clearly seeing results, with crime decreasing compared with before,” Kamanzi said.
He said assault and bodily harm cases have dropped by almost half, while other crimes and forms of disorder linked to alcohol consumption have also declined.
The campaign involves identifying and destroying illicit alcoholic drinks while encouraging residents to surrender such products to authorities.
For some residents, the crackdown has gone beyond improving public safety to changing individual behaviour.
Ishimwe Samuel, a resident of Ndora Sector in Gisagara District, said he previously became involved in violent incidents and was arrested for offences committed after drinking “ibyuma.”
“Since I stopped drinking it, I feel better and I no longer commit crimes because I am in a clear state of mind,” he said.
Nzabandora Vincent, who oversees professional policing operations in Gisagara District, said the crackdown had also helped improve discipline among some security personnel who previously consumed the illicit drinks and struggled to perform their duties effectively.
Gisagara District Mayor Rutaburingoga Jérôme said the campaign was producing encouraging results, particularly because illicit alcohol had been associated with social problems and conflicts within communities.
Police are continuing the campaign under the slogan “Hehe n’icyuma,” urging residents to report anyone involved in producing, storing or distributing substandard alcoholic drinks.
Authorities say community cooperation remains critical to sustaining the decline in alcohol-related disorder and preventing crime across the Southern Province.
