RUSAGARA MUVUNANKIKO Valens
President Paul Kagame has warned that Rwanda will not tolerate a situation in which citizens lose their lives because of the interests of industrialists, stressing that protecting human life must remain a priority for the country’s leadership.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, August 24, 2026, President Kagame said the reported deaths linked to unsafe products and industrial activities are too serious for authorities to ignore. He noted that around 30 people had died in some incidents, while in other cases the number of deaths on a single day had reportedly reached as high as 100.
Kagame said those responsible for activities that put people’s lives at risk should expect to face the full force of the law. He emphasized that no government can simply watch its citizens die repeatedly while failing to take action.
“Look, they killed people today, then again they killed others the next day, and again at another time, in the same place. Then you ask, what are you going to do?” Kagame said, questioning how a government could justify inaction in such circumstances.
He argued that Rwanda does not need industries that make profits at the expense of human lives. According to the President, an industry that causes people to die is a threat to society, whether the victims are consumers or people involved in supplying raw materials.
“If you are doing this and it is killing people, then how is this country supposed to be governed? Would a country simply let people die and watch? What kind of country would that be?” he asked.
Kagame also addressed the controversy surrounding former officials from Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) and the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) who have been publicly identified in connection with investigations. Their appearance before the media has sparked debate on social media, with some questioning whether suspects should be publicly exposed before they have been tried and convicted.
The President said officials responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of products must be held accountable when their duties are allegedly compromised. He suggested that some officials under investigation could have played a role in allowing unsafe products to reach consumers, either through their own involvement or by failing to act against industries whose activities posed risks to public health.
Kagame stressed, however, that those facing investigations would have the opportunity to respond to the allegations against them through the appropriate legal process.
He further rejected the argument that authorities should avoid taking action because industries could suffer financial losses. In his view, economic losses cannot be placed above the loss of human lives, particularly when deaths could have been prevented.
The President also issued a warning to people involved in the production, distribution or sale of illicit drugs, saying they should expect to face action from law enforcement authorities.
Kagame said his responsibility as President is to protect the lives and welfare of Rwandans and to ensure that citizens are not killed by dangers that can be prevented.
His remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of industrial safety, product quality and regulatory oversight, with the government facing growing expectations to ensure that industries and businesses comply with standards designed to protect consumers.
The President’s message was clear: economic activity and industrial development cannot come at the cost of human life, and those whose actions or negligence put Rwandans at risk should be prepared to answer for them.
