Authorities in Rwamagana District have closed down several restaurants in the town over poor hygiene.

Most of the affected restaurants are in Kigabiro Sector, the district’s main town.

Speaking to The New Times, last week, Mark Rushimisha, the head of the sector, said the move was meant to protect consumers from contracting diseases.

He said restaurants were closed over violation of health standards.

"Most restaurants have failed inspection tests. We are concerned with the status of kitchen and toilets. The process is ongoing,” he said.

Rushimisha added that other business premises will also be inspected to make sure that health standards were observed.

"After restaurants, we will inspect garages, bars and lodges,” he said.

Owners of restaurants, however, complained that the closure was done without prior notice.

"We were not given enough time to prepare for the closure and made losses. We will work hard to meet the standards but it’s a tough call, especially when you are not earning enough,” Bosco Nsengiyunva, proprietor of a closed restaurant, said.

But some residents welcomed the closure of the restaurants, saying it was long overdue.

Jean Marie Mvuyekure, a resident said most business premises were in a sorry state.

"In the restaurants it takes several minutes to be seated after being ignored by the waitress. There is absolutely no service delivery. Waiters act as if they are bothered. Let them close the restaurants because they are in appalling situation…they may end up poisoning us,” he said.