Rwanda: Over 95% of Youth in Rehab Centres Linked to Alcohol Abuse - Minister

What the report says

Rwanda’s government says illicit alcohol and drugs are driving a large share of youth admissions to rehabilitation centres. Speaking on RBA on August 2, Local Government Minister Dominique Habimana said more than 95% of young people in rehab were dealing with addiction linked to illegal alcohol and drugs, and he framed the issue as a national priority. He urged families, schools, faith groups, local leaders, businesses and the wider public to help stop illegal production and consumption.

The remarks came amid stepped-up enforcement against unsafe alcohol products. The article says the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority had just closed eight distilleries and revoked licences for importing neutral spirit, while the Health Ministry has reported deaths and serious injuries linked to contaminated drinks this year. Habimana also said the government is not banning traditional banana- or sorghum-based beverages, but expects them to be made under existing rules and with local authority oversight.

Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana said the problem is being treated as an emergency, citing more than 500 patients treated for complications from illicit alcohol in 2026. The article, published by The New Times via AllAfrica, also quoted investigators from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau saying some manufacturers were operating with false or missing licences, poor hygiene and unsafe ingredients. Officials say inspections and enforcement will continue nationwide. The reported measures matter because authorities say the issue is linked not only to illness and death but also to violence, school dropout and broader social harm.