Authorities in Kayonza District, Eastern Province, have seized and destroyed alcoholic beverages worth 38 million Rwandan francs after inspections found harmful chemicals had been added during production, raising serious public health concerns.
The operation took place on Monday evening; November 17, 2025 in Mukarange Sector, where all the confiscated drinks were traced back to Agasusurulo Tangawizi Ltd. Mayor of Kayonza District John Bosco Nyemazi said that the crackdown followed routine inspection that found some factories adding unapproved chemicals and storing beverages in unsafe conditions, putting consumers at risk.
“Some of these factories were found to use unapproved yeast in their drinks, and store them in plastic containers, which can contaminate the alcohol and make dangerous for consume,” Mayor Nyemazi explained. He warned that illegal production of alcohol could lead to serious health consequences including death, and urged residents of Kayonza to consume only beverages from licensed sources.
He added that the authorities will continue awareness campaigns to educate residents about the dangers of unsafe alcohol, with operations expected to continue to other sectors if illegal production persists.
Some of the local resident said that the destroyed were already being consumed, and continue to be sold in bars, they also criticized delays in government to inspections, noting that illegal production often leads to excessive intoxication hence violence among the population. Other who consume the alcohols said the reason is because they drinks are cheaper and they can’t avoid.
Bar owners have also criticized the authorities for the delays in making the inspection and informing them not to purchase and stock the illegal alcohol drinks.
