RUSAGARA MUVUNANKIKO Valens
The Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has shut down 27 alcoholic beverage manufacturing companies and revoked their production licenses following inspections that found violations of quality standards. The regulator has also ordered the immediate withdrawal of all alcoholic beverages produced by the affected manufacturers from the market in a move aimed at protecting public health and consumer safety.
In a public notice issued on August 4, 2026, Rwanda FDA said the decision was made in accordance with Law No. 003/2018 establishing the institution and defining its mandate, as well as findings from compliance inspections on quality standards. The agency stated that the latest enforcement action follows previous measures taken against other alcoholic beverage manufacturers.
Under the directive, all alcoholic beverages produced by the affected companies must be immediately removed from the market. Manufacturers have been instructed to begin recalling their products as soon as they receive the notice and to work with distributors to collect products from wholesalers and retailers before returning them to their production facilities.
Rwanda FDA further ordered the affected manufacturers to submit a comprehensive report on the product recall exercise within three working days from the date the notice was issued. Distributors and retailers have also been directed to immediately stop distributing and selling the listed products and return any remaining stock to their respective suppliers or manufacturers.
The regulator warned that failure to comply with the directive will result in additional legal and regulatory action. It also advised consumers to stop drinking all alcoholic beverages produced by the affected manufacturers while the recall is underway.
The companies affected by the latest enforcement action include Advent Group Ltd, Speranza Group Ltd, Unique Beverages Ltd, Gisagara Agro-Business Industries Ltd, Umuhonge Co. Ltd, Life Holistic Ltd, UTAMU WA KAZI Ltd, NA-AP Ltd, Ste Catherine Ltd, Icyizere Group Company Ltd, NCWC Company Ltd, Akahebuje Ltd, Bwiza Coffee Group Ltd, Akiwacu NB&GE Ltd, Super Sharp Multi Business Ltd, MK Icyuzuzo Ltd, Iryamukuru Wine Ltd, White Gate Link Ltd, Ihuriro Drink Ltd, Ishya Brewing Company Ltd, Impano Products Ltd, Akanyamuneza Ltd, Ganira Neza Ltd, East Stone Beverage Ltd, Akanoveri Company Ltd, Akengetse Ltd and Akamaro Ltd.
The recalled products include a wide range of alcoholic beverages such as whisky, gin, vodka, rum, cream liqueur, pineapple wine, banana-based alcoholic beverages, ginger-flavoured alcoholic drinks, coffee-flavoured alcoholic drinks and other fruit-based alcoholic beverages. Rwanda FDA emphasized that the recall applies not only to the products specifically listed in the notice but also to any other alcoholic beverages manufactured by the affected companies.
In addition to the recall, the regulator ordered the immediate suspension of all advertising activities related to alcoholic beverages produced by the manufacturers listed in Appendices I, II and III of its notices. All promotional materials and billboards advertising the affected products must also be removed across the country.
Rwanda FDA said inspections and compliance monitoring will continue and indicated that additional manufacturers could face similar sanctions if they are found to be violating the country’s quality and safety regulations. The agency called on manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and the general public to cooperate in implementing the directives to safeguard public health and ensure consumer safety.
