Rwanda’s Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has suspended 52 imported alcoholic beverages, including Bond 7, Kiwingu, Konyagi, Gilbey’s, and several other brands, as part of intensified efforts to protect public health.
In a statement issued on 5 August 2026, Rwanda FDA ordered the immediate suspension of the importation of the affected products into the country.
The statement also directed importers to immediately begin collecting all affected beverages from the market and removing them from retailers and distributors.
Rwanda FDA further instructed importers to work closely with distributors across the country to ensure that all suspended products are returned to the importers’ warehouses.
Importers have been ordered to submit a detailed report to Rwanda FDA within three working days, starting from 5 August 2026, explaining how the collection and withdrawal exercise was carried out.
This decision comes amid a broader nationwide crackdown on illegal and substandard alcoholic beverages. So far, 136 factories involved in the production of such drinks have already been shut down.
Authorities are also collecting and destroying ethanol used in the manufacture of the banned beverages.
In Kigali alone, more than 470,000 litres have already been seized and are scheduled for destruction.
The Government says these measures are intended to prevent the serious health consequences associated with substandard alcohol.
Over the past seven months, such alcoholic drinks are reported to have caused 50 deaths, while 100 other people reportedly lost their sight after consuming them.
Rwandatribune.rw
