KAYONZA – Most of the local brew commonly called Kanyanga which has been seized and destroyed in the past in the Eastern Province could have been brewed in Kayonza district, The New Times has learnt.

Police in Kayonza said on Wednesday that over three brewing plants have been discovered in the villages of Kabura, Nyabikenye and Gisembe in Kabarondo sector.

Ten people including a village leader have been arrested in connection with the brewing, according to police.

The distilling plants were being operated within banana plantations and in residential houses, police said.
Reacting to the reports, Julius Mugabo, the area Executive Secretary, blamed it on grass-roots leaders.

"The Mudugudu leaders obviously knew about it and were part of the system, but I never knew anything,” he said.
"They covered it up and they should be answerable.”

The Regional Police Commander (RPC), Chief Superintendent Gilbert Gumira, who confirmed the arrests, condemned the persistence sale of the illicit alcohol, noting that they will never stop tracking down dealers.

"The war against Kanyaga is like any against other drugs because of the profits involved, dealers tend to buy their way out easily,” he said.

"Most of the culprits hide in the neighboring countries, whenever they suspect danger; it is an organized crime cutting across many countries in the region.”

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