Kagame defends closure of substandard beverage factories, says public health comes first

By The Inspirer.

President Paul Kagame has defended the government’s ongoing crackdown on substandard alcoholic beverages, saying protecting the health and lives of Rwandans must take priority over the interests of businesses involved in their production.

Kagame made the remarks on Monday, August 24, 2026, during a press conference in Kigali, where he was asked about the government’s decision to close factories producing beverages that fail to meet required standards.

More than 150 factories have reportedly been closed as part of the crackdown, while 52 types of alcoholic beverages imported into Rwanda have also been banned. The government has additionally suspended the importation of ethanol used in the production of some alcoholic beverages.

Kagame said the debate should focus primarily on the consequences of unsafe products on public health rather than the economic losses faced by factory owners and their employees.

He questioned whether protecting factories and jobs should take precedence when the products manufactured in those facilities are associated with serious harm to consumers.

“Before we look at the problem of factory owners, we should first answer the question of people’s lives,” Kagame said.

He argued that some unsafe beverages are produced locally while others are imported into Rwanda, adding that their effects on consumers can vary in severity and may not always become apparent immediately.

Kagame also questioned why anyone would support businesses producing substandard beverages while overlooking the health consequences faced by consumers.

He said the government has a responsibility to intervene when products pose a threat to public health, regardless of where they originate.

The President also addressed the arrest of officials working in institutions responsible for standards and quality control. He said some officials are being investigated over allegations that they failed to properly perform their responsibilities, potentially allowing substandard products to reach consumers.

He said authorities must establish whether some officials or factory owners played a role in allowing unsafe products onto the market, stressing that those responsible would have to account for their actions.

Kagame said Rwanda cannot remain passive while citizens are exposed to products that may endanger their lives.

“A country cannot simply watch its people die,” he said, arguing that the focus should be on preventing the causes of deaths rather than questioning measures taken to address them.

He added that the government would continue pursuing individuals and businesses involved in activities that violate regulations and put public health at risk.

“People will have to comply with the law, but those who continue bringing practices that harm people will face those responsible for enforcing the rules,” Kagame said.

He maintained that the government’s priority is to protect Rwandans and ensure that economic interests do not override public health considerations.

The crackdown comes amid broader government efforts to strengthen regulation of alcoholic beverages and other consumer products that fail to meet safety and quality requirements.