Rwanda National Police

Police in Kamonyi District has warned bar owners in the district over the malpractice of selling alcoholic drinks to minors, which is illegal and punishable under the Rwandan penal code.

Assistant Inspector of Police Athanase Niyonagira, Kamonyi District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) made the call on July 30 during in a meeting that brought together Police and bar owners in the district.

Article 217 of the Rwanda Penal Code defines a child or a minor as “every human being aged less than eighteen years unless otherwise provided by the law.

Article 219 of the penal code stipulates that any person who offers or sells alcoholic beverages or tobacco to a child or involves his or her in the sale of such products shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of at least three months but less than six months and a fine of Rwf300, 000 to Rwf1 million or one of these penalties.

These penalties also apply to any person who encourages a child to drink alcoholic beverages or to smoke or to go to bars.

“Alcohol consumption by minors might lead them into negative consequences such as school drop-out , theft and lures them into sexual acts leading to unwanted pregnancies,” AIP Niyongira said

“Children or minors therefore have to be protected from alcohol and other illicit drugs if the ultimate goal to nurture them into competent citizens that will drive the country’s development agenda further," he noted

He also challenged parents and the general public to be equally responsible by protecting this illegal acts.

Participants were urged to take part in various initiatives aimed at tightening security in their communities.

“Children should not be given and sold alcoholic drinks if we want to prepare them to be good citizens,” Jean Bosco Ubarijoro, who owns a bar in Kamonyi, said.