Rwanda National Police has said liquor stores and groceries in Kigali are turning into bars in an unlawful way that will not be overlooked by law enforcement agencies. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, October 4, Inspector General of Police Felix Namuhoranye said a “crackdown operation” had been launched on liquor stores that have turned into bars and cause noise pollution. “A liquor store has the licence of a liquor store. How does it become a bar?” Namuhoranye said. “Interestingly, you find an official among the people who are in that liquor store-turned bar. No! We are on a crackdown operation – that’s a very strong word. So, to anyone who owns a liquor store or grocery store and has turned his shop into a bar, we are coming after you.” ALSO READ: Govt releases highly anticipated noise control guidelines Namuhoranye urged members of the media to help the law enforcement agencies in the ‘TunyweLess’ (or DrinkLess) campaign against alcoholism. The police chief said if uncontrolled, the current problem could lead to a “wobbly generation” in the next 10 years. “You don’t need to see this. Some of these people are your children, your relatives, your country,” he said. “We say ‘Drink less.’ We could even say ‘no to alcohol,’ but someone mentioned people’s rights and freedom. But freedom that kills a generation?” ALSO READ: Businesses brace for new night-time regulations In September, the Police and other institutions began enforcing a new regulation that demands night-time businesses to close their activities at 1AM during weekdays and at 2AM on weekends. The regulation, which came barely two months after the launch of the TunyweLess campaign, is meant to prevent noise pollution and promote healthy lifestyles. Namuhoranye also warned bar owners without soundproof systems, who allow their customers to cause noise pollution using working hours as a pretext for ignoring the damage, that the Police would not tolerate it.
