The Rwanda Education Board (REB) plans to establish Drug-Free Generation Clubs in schools nationwide to help prevent substance abuse among students and encourage young people to adopt healthier lifestyles. The initiative was launched at Lycée de Kigali on October 23, 2026, following a proposal developed by four students at the school.
The campaign comes amid concerns about the harmful effects of drug use and illicit alcohol consumption, which have been linked to serious health complications, including blindness and death.
Students Take the Lead in Fighting Drug Use
Hope Teta, a Senior Six student studying Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) at Lycée de Kigali and one of the four students behind the initiative, said the idea emerged during the country’s campaign against illicit alcohol. She explained that the students had observed substance use affecting their peers, prompting them to develop an initiative to raise awareness and prevent further harm.
she said: “We saw that even in schools, there are students who use these substances and end up destroying their lives. That is when we thought of starting the club,” The students presented their proposal to the school administration, which forwarded it to REB. The board welcomed the idea and began considering how the initiative could be extended to schools across the country.
According to The New Times, the launch was attended by several officials, including REB Director General Nelson Mbarushimana, Deputy Government Spokesperson Jean-Maurice Uwera, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports Brave Ngabo, and members of Sober Generation.
Mbarushimana said the clubs would be established in schools nationwide. The next launch was scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026, at a school in Tabagwe, Nyagatare District. He added that REB was preparing a curriculum and guidelines to explain how the clubs would operate and what students would learn during their meetings. The board also plans to encourage school head teachers to support the initiative and teachers to incorporate relevant drug-prevention topics into their lessons.
Creatives Urge Students to Stay Sober
Bonny Bugingo, popularly known as Junior Giti, a film interpreter and music manager, urged students to avoid drugs, drawing on experiences involving former schoolmates. A former student of Lycée de Kigali who also served as head boy, Giti said some of his former colleagues who used drugs and failed to stop were now facing difficult circumstances.
He attributed his continued presence in the creative industry to staying away from drugs. He also observed that some people who had shown talent in music, journalism and songwriting had disappeared from the industry after continuing to use drugs. Giti encouraged students to remain focused on their ambitions, emphasizing that personal development and success were possible through sobriety. “Life is possible, development is possible, but with sobriety,” he said, adding that success while using drugs was extremely rare.
Government Calls on Young People to Reject Illicit Alcohol
Deputy Government Spokesperson Jean-Maurice Uwera said the government supports initiatives aimed at protecting young people from substance abuse and promoting a drug-free generation. He called on young people to reject drugs and help build a healthier society, stressing that preventing substance abuse was important for the country’s future development.
Uwera also shared a personal experience, revealing that he had buried his cousin the previous week following a death he attributed to illicit alcohol consumption. He said his cousin had been ambitious and had a child, urging young people not to experiment with illicit alcohol. Uwera warned that what begins as occasional consumption can develop into dependence, encouraging young people to make responsible decisions that protect their health and future.
Sober Generation Encourages Youth to Protect Their Future
Film actor Shemaryimanzi Dwayne Emmy, one of the coordinators of Sober Generation, urged young people to embrace sobriety and participate in initiatives aimed at preventing substance abuse.
He noted that young people would be responsible for leading the country in the coming years and therefore needed to prepare themselves to sustain the progress achieved by the current generation. He said: “Where our leaders have brought the country from and where they are taking it must not end with their generation. They need a sober generation to carry on their work.”
The establishment of Drug-Free Generation Clubs in schools is expected to give students opportunities to discuss the dangers of substance use, encourage one another to make healthier choices and raise awareness among their peers. The initiative also highlights the role students can play in addressing challenges within their schools and communities by developing practical ideas that promote the well-being of young people.
