Can You Drink Alcohol In Rwanda?

Rwandan law categorises all drinks with an alcohol content of more than 45 per cent as narcotics.

But although kanyanga has long been banned in Rwanda, a steady supply is being smuggled into the country under the watch of the authorities.

Uganda appears to be the main source for kanyanga, with more than 80 routes used by traffickers to transport the substance to sectors including Matimba, Musheri, Rwimiyaga, Tabagwe and Rushaki. Kanyanga is also made inside Rwanda, in areas including Kabarondo Kayonza district.

The Rwandan cabinet banned drinking alcohol during working hours.

“This is to sensitise all Rwandans to work eight hours per day by avoiding alcohol that may disrupt work,” Rwandan radio had said in a report of the cabinet meeting.

The most popular alcoholic drink in Rwanda is beer, brewed locally near Rubavu. The cheaper of the two local brands is Primus, which comes in 700ml bottles.

The Rwanda Government is considering to raise the legal age for buying and consuming alcohol from 18 years, saying that the current policy has failed to contain alcohol abuse amongst teenagers.