SOUTHERN PROVINCE

NYANZA — The police and local authorities have banned the production and sale of a local brew locally known as Nyirantare.

The authorities also banned other illicit concoctions that have been deemed unfit for human consumption.

"The raw materials used in their preparation are not known. The brew is ready for consumption in a few hours contrary to the usual brew that takes a few days to get ready,” said the Regional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Faustin Ntirushwa.

"There have been reported cases of illnesses like swelling of the stomach by some consumers and lawlessness by people consuming these products,” Ntirushwa added.

Trading in illicit brew has been reported in many districts of the Province. Preparation of such brew has been described as cheap and attracts a sizable number of consumers because it is cheaper compared to the legally accepted local brew.

The ban comes days after residents of Busasamana, especially traders of the brew complained bitterly to the Governor Fidel Ndayisaba, about the sale of Nyirantare. This was during the Province’s Accountability Day.

The traders argued that Sector Police authorities had recently launched a campaign to pour all local brew found in local bars.

Ntirushwa explained that the Police were enforcing decisions taken by Sector officials to pour the beer.

"The traders know well that what they are dealing in is illegal. Let them come together and identify the people amongst them dealing in illicit brew so as to save their trade,” counseled the police chief.

Governor Fidel Ndayisaba also defended the action, saying it was meant to protect the interests of the consumers.
"We have a duty to protect our people from unscrupulous traders,” said the Governor.

"We are going to ask the Rwanda Bureau of Standards to test the said local brew to determine its alcohol levels and for advice on whether it is fit for human consumption,” he added.

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