Why Did Rwanda Destroy 26,000 Litres of Its Famous Akarusho Drink?

KIGALI, Rwanda — August 19, 2026 — Rwanda’s sweeping crackdown on alcoholic beverages has reached one of the country’s most recognizable homegrown brands, after authorities destroyed more than 26,000 litres of Akarusho at Nyirangarama in Rulindo District.

Akarusho is produced by Entreprise Urwibutso, the agro-processing company founded by prominent Rwandan entrepreneur Sina Gerard. The banana-based alcoholic beverage has been sold in Rwanda for more than two decades and is closely associated with the Nyirangarama brand.

Its destruction has therefore attracted particular attention among Rwandans, with social-media users questioning how such a long-established product became caught up in the government's alcohol crackdown.

Why was Akarusho destroyed?

According to the reporting available, authorities said inspections identified problems involving hygiene and the production process that could potentially affect consumers' health.

On August 18, officials in Rulindo District destroyed more than 26,000 litres of Akarusho, alongside other alcoholic products considered non-compliant.

Police spokesperson CIP Ignace Ngirabakunzi said problems had been identified during inspections, while the company was reportedly instructed to address the deficiencies.

The destruction came days after the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) reportedly closed the alcoholic-beverage production section of Sina Gerard's factory on August 8. Other food and juice operations were not included in that closure.

Part of a much bigger crackdown