Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has called upon the general public to double efforts and reinforce ongoing Police initiatives to combat the sell or making of illicit brew, which are blamed for fueling violence in communities.

The call follows the seizure of about 2000 litres of various types of illicit brew in Police operations conducted in different parts of the country in the last one week.

Police say making and selling of these products known by different names like Ibikwangari, and banned gin like Kanyanga is in contravention of the law especially in articles 593 and 594 of the penal code, and in article 24 of the law governing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in Rwanda.

Growing, selling, transformation, transportation, storage and consumption of narcotic drugs are prohibited under article 593 and punishable, under article 594, with a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Rwf500,000 to Rwf5 million.

Article 24 of the law on narcotics, also states that “any drink that exceeds forty five percent of alcohol and any other drink which doesn’t have the required quality for consumption, shall be considered as narcotic drug.”

Experts in health say drug abuse has serious negative health effects such as mental problems and heart related difficulties.

On Saturday, Police seized about 400 litres of these illicit drinks in the sectors of Rilima and Ngeruka in Bugesera District after a tip-off from area residents claiming these acts were causing insecurity in the area.

Supt. Richard Rubagumya, Bugesera District Police Commander noted that there is still gap in public’s response in combating these illegal acts.

“Although some community members report individuals involved, there are other who seem not to care, even when insecurity in most cases doesn’t discriminate. We have arrested a number of people who make these illicit drinks in the past and seized their manufactured dangerous drinks, and this was possible because of people who value community policing and information sharing, as a vital tool in combating these acts,” said Supt. Rubagumya.

“The good thing is that these acts have decreased tremendously compared to the past, but this is not good enough. We receive cases of assault and domestic violence, and in almost of them, you find that they were fueled by drunkenness after excessive consumption of these illicit drinks,” he added.

He further warned those involved to refrain from this illegal business and instead enroll in legally accepted businesses.

RNP established an Anti- Narcotic Directorate and conducts periodic awareness campaigns to reinforce efforts against drug abuse.

The force, through community policing, is currently actively engaged in breaking the supply chain to effectively tackle this crime.