Ntihanabayo Samuel, also known as Kazungu, and 15 other suspects arrested in Kigali were presented by RIB on August 8, 2026. Ntihanabayo was arrested alongside two other employees of Ingufu Gin, including the factory’s quality control officer and production manager.
Oluwatosin Ayayi, the operations manager of Kerry Taste and Nutrition Rwanda, was also among those presented after being arrested in Kigali.
Other suspects presented by RIB included individuals linked to Ebeneza Hub, Sakaza Fruit, Entreprise Urwibutso, African Buffalo, Piphany Company and Lotas Medical Group.
Since August 2, the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has closed 148 factories producing alcoholic beverages that failed to meet required quality standards and suspended the production of the beverages manufactured by the affected facilities.
The decision followed inspections that found that some of the factories were using improperly processed ethanol in their alcoholic beverages, posing serious health risks to consumers.
The Government of Rwanda says 50 people have died from consuming substandard alcohol since January 2026, while another 100 people have lost their sight. An estimated 11,000 people across the country have also become addicted to the beverages.
RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry said those under investigation include government officials responsible for inspections and issuing permits, factory owners, employees of the closed factories, local government officials and people involved in illegal alcohol production.
“They all have one thing in common. They are connected through the chemical substance ethanol. They are facing four charges: giving a person something that can endanger their life, forging or using forged documents, embezzlement and insubordination,” Dr. Murangira said.
He explained that some factory owners and employees involved in producing substandard alcoholic beverages had been using expired materials and unauthorized measurements in pursuit of profit, without considering the consequences for consumers.
“So far, 80 people have been arrested across the country, 16 of whom we have presented here were arrested in Kigali. Investigations are still ongoing. In reality, nothing can be exchanged for human life because everything being done is in the interest of the public,” Dr. Murangira said.
RIB said inspections conducted in collaboration with relevant authorities found that some factories were operating without registration, while others were producing beverages without the required quality certifications.
Authorities also found factories operating in unhygienic conditions, producing alcohol in unauthorized locations and obstructing inspections by officials.
RIB said investigations into the production and distribution of substandard alcoholic beverages are continuing as authorities work to identify all individuals involved and protect the public from products that could endanger their health.
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