Rwanda shuts eight manufacturers, recalls popular spirits in major health crackdown

Rwandan health authorities have shut down eight alcohol production plants and ordered the immediate removal of dozens of popular drinks from shop shelves in a major public health crackdown.

In a public directive released Saturday, the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) revoked the operating licenses of the affected manufacturers following health and safety inspections.

Suppliers, shop owners, and bars have been instructed to halt all sales immediately and return unsold inventory to manufacturers, who must submit official recall reports within three business days. Officials also warned the public to stop consuming the banned products right away.

The closed facilities include Ingufu Gin Ltd, NBG Ltd, Sky Drop Industries Ltd, Africana Buffalo Ltd, NOPA Company Ltd, Roots Investment Group Ltd, Rugali Agro-processing Company, and Zhonglu Industrial Liability Company Ltd.

The recall impacts widely sold local brands—including Red Waragi, Royal Castle Gin, King’s Vodka, Churchill Whisky, and Moonlight Vodka—alongside any other beverage produced by the blacklisted factories.

The enforcement drive comes amid rising national concerns over unsafe alcohol and high consumption rates. Official data from the Rwanda Biomedical Center shows that adult alcohol usage rose from 41 percent in 2013 to 48 percent in 2022. Health officials have also been fighting the spread of unregulated home-brewed liquors containing toxic chemicals like methanol, which have caused deaths and blindness.

The regulatory move follows strong public warnings from President Paul Kagame, who cautioned young people against excessive drinking during a civic training address last week, calling alcohol abuse a severe threat to the nation’s future.

Government spokespersons confirmed that law enforcement will strictly enforce the recall across all markets and hospitality venues.