The Rwanda National Police spokesperson, ACP Boniface Rutikanga, has warned bar owners who operate beyond the permitted hours for alcohol sales, saying that such practices contribute to increased alcohol abuse as some people spend the night drinking and continue into the morning.
He made the remarks during an interview aired on Mama Urwagasabo TV, which focused on measures being taken to fight substandard alcoholic beverages.
Bar Closing Hours Introduced to Reduce Alcohol Abuse
In 2023, Rwanda introduced mandatory closing hours for bars and nightclubs as part of efforts to reduce the growing problem of alcohol abuse.
ACP Rutikanga said some bar operators have resorted to tricks such as switching off lights, lowering music volume, locking themselves inside, and continuing to sell alcohol illegally.
“We still have people who close such places, switch off the lights, turn off the music, and continue drinking inside,” he said.
Police Cite Cases Linked to Overnight Drinking
He explained that the effects of spending the night drinking are often noticeable, as some residents report cases of insecurity caused by people who spend the night in bars and cause disturbances in their communities.
“Recently, we were called by residents and found a man and a woman fighting at 8 a.m., and both of them were drunk after drinking. You wonder whether they had spent the night there or whether they started drinking in the morning. After following up, we found that while other bars had closed, they had continued drinking while locked inside the bar,” he said.
Awareness and Enforcement Measures
He noted that, alongside awareness campaigns such as “Tunyweless”, which aims to encourage Rwandans to drink responsibly or quit alcohol where possible, authorities are also taking enforcement measures.
The Rwanda Police has launched operations to identify people who continue selling substandard alcoholic drinks and those who violate the designated hours for alcohol sales.
“Another activity is conducting inspections in those areas to identify who owns these bars, because you cannot stop someone from drinking such alcohol without first knowing where they are getting it from,” he said.
Official Bar Operating Hours
According to guidelines issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), bars, nightclubs, and alcohol-selling outlets must close at 1:00 a.m. from Monday to Friday, and at 2:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
