Public intoxication, also called public drunkenness, is a crime that occurs when people are visibly drunk or under the influence of drugs in public.

Although public drunkenness is punishable by Rwandan law, some of the acts that are prohibited may not be widely known. These may include getting drunk in a bar or giving alcohol to an already drunk person.

A recent survey by Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) showed that the number of people aged 18-69 years who drink alcohol increased from 41 per cent in 2013 to just over 48 per cent in 2022. About 62 per cent of men drink alcohol, while 34 per cent women drink.

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In July, the government launched a campaign to discourage excessive drinking after the survey showed alcoholism was on the rise. In substance, excessive drinking has dropped by eight percentage points, from 23.5 per cent in 2013 to 15.2 per cent in 2022.

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In the context of the recent government efforts to drive down alcoholism, below are little known prohibited acts of public drunkenness that could make a person face the law determining offences and penalties.

Serving alcohol to an already drunk person

Article 268 of the penal code says any person who is drunk in public, in the streets, squares, pathways, bar, in a gymnasium or any other public places, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, the person is liable to imprisonment for a term of eight days two months and a fine of Rwf20,000 to Rwf100,000 or only one of the penalties.

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If a bar operator and his or her staff accept to host any persons in a state of excessive drunkenness in their facility and serve them alcoholic beverages, they are liable to imprisonment for a term of eight days to two months and a fine of Rwf50,000 Rwf200,000 or only one of the penalties.