Rwanda police have warned people organizing private parties against serving alcoholic drinks that have been withdrawn from the market, saying those found using the banned products could face legal penalties.
The warning follows the arrest of 20 young people at a house party in Kigali who were found drinking alcohol that had recently been removed from the Rwandan market.
CIP Wellars Gahonzire, the Kigali city police spokesperson, said officers have encountered similar cases at private gatherings and urged organizers to ensure the drinks served at their events comply with market regulations.
“Those who use alcohol removed from the Rwandan market are going against the law, and we remind them that they can be punished,” Gahonzire said.
The warning comes as authorities continue to remove substandard alcoholic drinks from circulation. In Kicukiro District, two factories — Yego Manufacturers and Kasesa Gin — were among those recently closed over the production of alcoholic beverages that failed to meet required standards.
More than 38,000 cartons of the affected drinks are being removed from the market.
Police have also linked the enforcement campaign to concerns over misconduct among young people associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
Police spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said authorities would work with bar and nightclub operators, concert organizers and DJs to address behavior considered unacceptable at entertainment venues.
“The behavior of people in those places will also be the responsibility of those operating them,” Rutikanga said.
Police said the measures are intended to strengthen compliance among businesses and event organizers while addressing alcohol-related misconduct among young people.
