Health Minister Dr Sabin Nsanzimana announced the decline on 15 October 2026 during a meeting with members of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations (NFPO).

He said the impact of the government’s measures was already becoming visible in health facilities, where fewer people were being treated for injuries sustained in alcohol-related fights.

“Health facilities are seeing a nearly 80% reduction in cases involving people injured in fights or attacks linked to these alcoholic drinks,” Nsanzimana said.

He added that health officials were compiling the figures and comparing them with data from security agencies to establish a clearer picture of the situation.

The minister also revealed that 250 factories producing substandard alcoholic beverages had been closed. More than 200 other investors had previously applied to set up similar factories, he said.

The figures raised concerns among NFPO members, who questioned how so many factories had been allowed to operate for so long without effective intervention from the institutions responsible for regulating products manufactured locally and those imported into the country.

Deputy Ombudsman Mukama Abbas said the situation raised questions about possible corruption or negligence among regulatory authorities.

He questioned why the number of factories had continued to grow without stronger action to investigate the problem and prevent it from spreading.

Vice-President of the Senate Mukabaramba Alvera also expressed concern over the number of factories involved in alcohol production, questioning why more than 200 such businesses had been operating while other essential products, including clothing and hygiene supplies, were also needed by the population.

Meanwhile, NFPO spokesperson Ndagijimana Leonard welcomed the government’s decision to stop the production of substandard alcoholic beverages.

He said the move could help protect public health by reducing the risk of illnesses and mental health problems associated with the consumption of unsafe alcohol.

The reported decline in alcohol-related injuries offers an early indication of the impact of the government’s intervention. However, questions remain about how the factories operated for so long and whether weaknesses in regulatory oversight allowed the problem to grow.