Rwanda closes 130 alcohol plants after toxic drinks kill 50, blind hundreds

In early August 2026 Rwanda’s Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) ordered the shutdown of more than 130 alcohol manufacturing facilities, revoked their licences and recalled products nationwide. The crackdown, coordinated with the Ministry of Health, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau and local authorities, seized products worth over Rwf 2.6 billion, imposed fines of about Rwf 360 million and led to the arrest of at least 56 individuals.

The action was triggered by a wave of methanol‑contaminated drinks that had caused at least 50 deaths, left roughly 100 people permanently blind and hospitalized over 500 others with serious health complications. The Ministry of Health, led by Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, warned that the toxic beverages posed a grave public‑health threat and highlighted the broader challenge of alcohol dependency in the country. The crackdown also targeted companies such as Ingufu Gin Limited and other breweries found breaching safety standards, giving them three days to remove stock from the market.