Rwandan authorities have intensified a nationwide crackdown on substandard and potentially dangerous alcoholic beverages, arresting 80 people as investigators examine manufacturers, government officials and others suspected of involvement in the production, certification and distribution of products that authorities say have caused deaths and serious health complications.
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) announced on August 8, 2026, that those arrested include factory owners, employees, local government officials, regulatory personnel and individuals allegedly involved in unauthorized alcohol production. The arrests represent a significant escalation of an enforcement campaign that has already resulted in the closure of scores of alcohol-producing facilities following inspections coordinated by government institutions.
Among those arrested is Samuel Ntihanabayo, also known as Kazungu, the owner and manager of Ingufu Gin. Ntihanabayo was among 16 suspects arrested in the City of Kigali and presented by RIB on Saturday. Two other Ingufu Gin employees, including officials responsible for quality control and production, were also detained.
Oluwatosin Ayayi, identified by authorities as being responsible for operations at Kerry Taste and Nutrition Rwanda, was also among those presented in Kigali. Other suspects were associated with businesses including Ebeneza Hub, Sakaza Fruit, Entreprise Urwibutso, African Buffalo, Piphany Company and Lotas Medical Group. The individuals remain suspects, and the allegations against them are subject to investigation and the judicial process.
The arrests follow regulatory action by the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA), which began closing alcohol-production facilities after inspections identified widespread concerns about manufacturing practices and compliance with safety requirements. Since August 2, authorities say 148 factories producing alcoholic beverages that did not meet required standards have been closed, with affected products also suspended from the market.
Government inspections found a range of alleged violations, including businesses operating without appropriate registration, production of beverages without required quality authorization, inadequate sanitation, manufacturing in unauthorized locations and obstruction of regulatory inspections. Authorities also raised concerns about the handling and use of ethanol and other materials in alcohol production.
RIB spokesperson Dr. B. Thierry Murangira said ethanol emerged as a central element connecting many of the cases under investigation. “They all have one common element: ethanol,” he said while explaining the scope of the investigation.
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According to authorities, some producers allegedly used improperly processed ethanol, expired materials and unauthorized formulations or measurements while manufacturing alcoholic beverages. Such practices can expose consumers to potentially severe health consequences when toxic substances or unsafe concentrations enter products intended for human consumption.
The enforcement campaign follows growing concern over the human consequences associated with unsafe alcoholic beverages. Government figures indicate that since January 2026, approximately 50 people have died in incidents associated with substandard alcohol, while about 100 people have reportedly lost their eyesight. Authorities have also estimated that approximately 11,000 people nationwide have developed dependence on these alcoholic beverages.
Earlier accounts from people affected by illicit and substandard alcohol illustrated the consequences beyond official statistics. Some survivors described severe deterioration in their health, finances and family lives after prolonged consumption. One affected individual said the beverages had contributed to the loss of almost all of his teeth, leaving him with only two. Such testimonies have added a personal dimension to the government’s campaign, demonstrating how harmful alcohol can affect not only individual consumers but also households and communities.
Health consequences associated with unsafe or excessive alcohol consumption can extend beyond intoxication and dependence. Depending on the substances involved and the level and duration of exposure, harmful alcohol consumption can contribute to liver and cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, digestive disorders and other serious complications. Contaminated or improperly manufactured alcohol can present additional risks, including poisoning, blindness, organ damage and death.
Authorities have emphasized that the current operation is not limited to manufacturers. Investigators are examining whether individuals entrusted with inspection, certification and regulatory responsibilities facilitated or failed to prevent unsafe products from reaching consumers. RIB said the investigation includes government employees responsible for inspections and regulatory documentation, factory owners and workers, local officials and people allegedly engaged in clandestine production.
Dr. Murangira said investigators are examining four categories of alleged offenses, including supplying substances capable of causing death or serious harm, falsifying or using fraudulent documents, embezzlement and defying lawful authority. Determination of criminal responsibility will ultimately depend on the evidence and judicial proceedings.
The investigation also raises questions about how manufacturers that allegedly failed to comply with regulatory requirements were able to operate and distribute products. Previous government inspections indicated that producers visited by authorities had significant shortcomings in meeting conditions associated with their operations, prompting increased scrutiny of both businesses and the regulatory processes designed to protect consumers.
Authorities say financial interests cannot be allowed to take precedence over public safety. Investigators allege that some manufacturers continued using inappropriate materials and unauthorized production methods despite the potential consequences for consumers.
“So far, 80 people have been arrested across the country. The 16 we are presenting were arrested in the City of Kigali, and the investigation is continuing,” Dr. Murangira said. “Nothing can be placed above human life, because all these actions are being undertaken for the protection and well-being of the public.”
The arrests and factory closures mark one of Rwanda’s most extensive recent interventions against substandard alcoholic beverages. The campaign brings together law-enforcement, food and drug regulation, public-health oversight and local authorities in an effort to remove dangerous products from circulation and establish accountability throughout the production and distribution chain.
With investigations continuing, authorities are expected to examine not only how the beverages were manufactured but also how ingredients were obtained, how products entered the market and whether weaknesses in inspection and certification systems contributed to their availability.
For communities affected by unsafe alcohol, the government’s response carries consequences extending beyond factory closures and arrests. The scale of reported deaths, blindness and alcohol dependence has placed the issue firmly within the country’s broader public-health agenda.
