Nyamasheke: Man dies in suspected case of toxic alcohol consumption, urgent action needed to curb illicit brews

By The Inspirer.

In a tragic incident, 46-year-old Karimunda Jean Pierre, a resident of Gasumo village in Banda cell, Rangiro sector, Nyamasheke district, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the early hours of October 10, 2024.

The death is suspected to be linked to a locally brewed alcohol known as “Icyuma,” or liquor, which the deceased had reportedly consumed the previous day at a local trading center.

According to a neighbor, Karimunda had a history of heavy drinking and was known for consuming unregulated and dangerous alcoholic beverages, including “Icyuma,” a highly potent drink. The neighbor described the beverage as something that “leaves a person weakened and mentally disoriented.”

The witness said, “He had been drinking about two kilometers from his home, and he returned around 11 p.m. He went to bed, but by 3 a.m., he started complaining of severe abdominal pain. Within five minutes, he began vomiting and soon started bleeding from the mouth and nose.”

His wife quickly called a motorbike taxi to take him to the hospital, but the driver, after assessing his condition, refused to transport him, saying it was too dangerous. While the wife was still searching for alternative transportation, she was informed that her husband had passed away.

Local authorities, including Ivan Munezero, the executive secretary of Rangiro sector, confirmed the death to Imvaho Nshya and stated that while the exact cause of death is still uncertain, it is strongly suspected that toxic alcohol consumption played a major role.

“We believe the alcohol was the main cause since there was nothing else pointing to a different cause. After consultations, we allowed the burial to proceed without further investigations,” Munezero explained.

Munezero also expressed his condolences to the grieving family and urged the local community to avoid unregulated and dangerous alcoholic drinks, warning that these beverages offer no benefits but instead harm people’s health.

The deceased leaves behind a wife and five children.

A growing concern about toxic alcohol in Rwanda

This tragic death is not an isolated incident. Just days earlier, on October 4, another man named Tuyizere Jean Paul died under similar circumstances in Rugengabali sector, Burera district. His death was also linked to the consumption of an illicit brew known as “Ibyuma.” The pattern of fatalities tied to these dangerous beverages has alarmed health officials and local leaders, who are calling for stricter regulations and public education on the dangers of consuming such drinks.

Understanding the risks of alcohol consumption

Alcohol, whether in the form of beer, spirits, or traditional brews, contains ethanol, a substance that can cause intoxication. When consumed in excessive amounts or in unregulated forms, such as homemade brews, the risks to health increase exponentially. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream primarily through the stomach and intestines. The speed at which it is absorbed depends on factors such as the quantity consumed, the presence of food in the stomach, and the alcohol content of the drink.

Heavy consumption of alcohol can lead to severe effects on the body, particularly the brain and liver. In extreme cases, such as those linked to illicit brews like “Icyuma,” it can cause acute poisoning, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, internal bleeding, and even death.

The widespread availability of these dangerous brews in rural areas, coupled with a lack of public awareness about their risks, has contributed to a worrying trend of alcohol-related deaths across Rwanda.

The death of Karimunda Jean Pierre is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by unregulated alcohol consumption. Local authorities are urging communities to avoid these hazardous drinks and to seek safer alternatives. While the exact nature of these illicit brews remains unclear, their lethal effects are undeniable, and steps must be taken to prevent further tragedies.

For the family left behind, the loss is devastating, and the community in Nyamasheke is once again forced to confront the dangers that lurk in the seemingly harmless act of drinking. The death of Karimunda highlights the urgent need for increased public awareness and tighter control over the production and sale of local brews that continue to endanger lives across Rwanda.

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