The spokesperson of Rwanda National Police, ACP Boniface Rutikanga, warned bar operators who exceed the set hours for selling alcohol, saying this fuels drunkenness as some drink all night while others continue in the morning.
He made the remarks during an interview on Mama Urwagasabo TV, which discussed measures being taken against substandard alcoholic drinks.
Regulations Introduced to Curb Alcohol Abuse
In 2023, Rwanda introduced mandatory closing hours for bars and nightclubs to reduce rising cases of alcoholism.
ACP Rutikanga noted that some bar owners use tricks such as turning off lights and lowering music while locking themselves inside to continue selling illegally.
He said: “We still have people who lock themselves inside, turn off the lights, stop the music, and keep drinking.”
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Concerns Over Security and Public Disturbances
He explained that overnight drinking often leads to insecurity, with residents calling Police due to disturbances caused by intoxicated individuals.
He added: “Recently, we were called by residents and found a man and woman fighting at 8 a.m., both drunk. You wonder, did they drink all night or start in the morning? After checking, we found that while other bars had closed, they continued drinking locked inside.”
Monitoring Compliance and Enforcement Measures
He highlighted that besides awareness campaigns such as “Tunyweless,” which encourage Rwandans to drink responsibly or quit, Police has started monitoring compliance with regulations on substandard drinks and closing hours.
He said: “Another measure is conducting inspections in those areas to identify who owns those bars. Because you cannot stop someone from drinking without first knowing where they get the alcohol.”
Official Closing Hours for Bars and Nightclubs
According to regulations from the Rwanda Development Board, bars, nightclubs, and alcohol outlets must close at 1 a.m. from Monday to Friday, and at 2 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
