Rwanda National Police

Joel Hitarurema and his wife Alice Uzamuriza, residents of Nyarugunga Sector, Kicukiro District were arrested on August 27 in connection with distilling and selling an illicit brew called Karigazoke.

They were arrested after Police found them distilling the illicit brew in their house in Kamashashi Cell. Police also recovered about 900 litres of the illicit beer which they had already distilled and seized other dirty drums and containers that they were using to make the dangerous beer.

The pair is currently detained at Kanombe Police Station.

Karigazoke is said to be made out of sugar, tea, water and mushrooms and other ingredients.

Area residents, however, said the suspects were adding pig fats.

Supt. Modeste Mbabazi, Police spokesperson for the Central Region warned against making, selling and consuming illicit brew.

“Such illicit beer has negative impacts on people’s lives. It is important that we all join hands together to fight it and those involved face justice” Supt. Mbabazi said.

Alphonsine Murebwayiye, the executive secretary of Nyarugunga Sector also called upon residents to play a role in preventing not only illicit beer but also other crimes in general.

“Crime prevention is not the role of Police alone; we all, as citizens, have the responsibility of ensuring our own safety,” Murebwayire said.