Disorderly Governance within the FPR Inkotanyi Administration as a Major Cause of Losses for Many Investors

When state institutions are characterized by incompetence (a lack of capacity or professionalism) and disorder (the absence of proper planning and stable governance), they can have numerous negative consequences for both the country and its citizens. These include poor performance within public institutions, financial losses for the government and the population, increased corruption, slowed development, authoritarian governance, inequality, injustice, and other related problems.

Since the FPR Inkotanyi assumed power and established its first government, which was sworn in on July 19, 1994, the functioning of state institutions has remained one of the issues frequently discussed by political analysts. Some argue that government institutions have consistently exhibited signs of incompetence in the management of their responsibilities, disorder in the decision-making and implementation processes, and favoritism in the allocation of responsibilities and opportunities.

During the early years of the FPR Inkotanyi administration, some observers viewed these problems as a consequence of the major transition the country had undergone, arguing that the lack of experience within the new leadership may have contributed to such shortcomings. There was hope that, as government institutions matured and strengthened their institutional capacity, these weaknesses would gradually be corrected.

However, according to some political analysts, rather than diminishing, these problems have continued to appear across various state institutions. They argue that disorder in governance, poor planning, inadequate coordination among public institutions, and the failure to prioritize accountability have gradually become commonplace, to the extent that some contend they have evolved into a culture within government institutions. All of these factors, they argue, have had significant consequences for the well-being of citizens and the country's sustainable development.

Today, many Rwandans are discussing Government of Rwanda Decision No. 003/2018, implemented through the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA), which ordered the closure of several companies involved in the production of alcoholic beverages in Rwanda.

Among the companies that were shut down are Ingufu Gin Ltd, NBG Ltd, SKY Drop Industries Ltd, African Buffalo Ltd, Rugali Agro-Processing Ltd, and others. In addition, individuals who brewed traditional alcoholic beverages for personal purposes—such as those using sorghum or bananas in accordance with Rwandan cultural practices—were also affected by the closures.

In this context, on August 2, the Department for Criminal Investigation and Counter-Terrorism within the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) announced that 50 individuals, including factory owners, had been arrested on allegations of producing and distributing substandard alcoholic beverages, with some accused of operating beyond the scope of the licenses they had been granted.

Furthermore, during a program broadcast on the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), it was reported that 50 people had died after consuming substandard alcoholic beverages, while another 100 had permanently lost their eyesight as a result of their effects during the first six months of 2026. Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana told RBA that hospitals across the country had admitted approximately 500 patients suffering from illnesses associated with the consumption of substandard alcoholic beverages.

This raises serious concerns regarding the coordination and consistency of decision-making among government institutions. Dr. Nsanzimana stated that, based on laboratory analyses conducted by the Ministry of Health (MINISANTE), most of these beverages were found to contain an alcohol by volume (ABV) ranging between 40% and 90%. If these findings are accurate, such alcohol concentrations would raise significant public health concerns. This inevitably prompts questions as to how another government institution could have authorized the production, importation, distribution, or sale of beverages with such alcohol content despite the potential risks they pose to human health.

These developments are cited by some observers as concrete evidence of what they describe as incompetence, disorder, and favoritism within the administration of President Paul Kagame. They argue that the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) granted operating licenses to various manufacturers without conducting adequate assessments of their products before they were placed on the market. Another issue they consider alarming is that the agency allegedly failed to carry out consistent long-term monitoring of the quality of products manufactured by these companies. They further contend that, if such monitoring was indeed taking place, corruption may have played a role in allowing the continued production and distribution of alcoholic beverages that have reportedly caused deaths on different occasions.

One analyst interviewed on the matter stated: "It is difficult to understand how more than eight factories could be suspended simultaneously. This suggests that the problem had reached a far more serious level in terms of the loss of Rwandan lives linked to these alcoholic beverages. It is also possible that the actual number of victims is much higher than what has been made public."

Some observers argue that this situation may have resulted from intimidation or favoritism, pointing out that many of the factories in question are reportedly associated with influential individuals within the FPR Inkotanyi administration. According to this view, such connections may have enabled them to continue operating despite suspicions that their products could pose serious risks to consumers' health.

In addition, many people, including members of the public and media outlets, have repeatedly criticized these alcoholic beverages and expressed concerns about their potential impact on the health of Rwandans and other consumers. However, according to these critics, Rwanda FDA did not give sufficient consideration to those concerns. These factories have been operating for many years, leading some observers to argue that the figures presented by Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana represent only a fraction of the actual impact and that these beverages may have claimed far more lives than officially reported.

From an economic perspective, this alleged disorderly management and what critics describe as poorly handled decision-making could significantly affect individuals whose businesses and livelihoods depended on the production and sale of these beverages. Many believe they are likely to suffer substantial financial losses as a result of the government's decision. They argue that if Rwanda FDA had performed its responsibilities with professionalism, these problems would not have escalated to the point of causing such severe consequences for both the health and the economy of Rwandans.

An administration that builds its system of governance on disorder, incompetence, and favoritism cannot endure indefinitely. The allocation of public positions on the basis of personal connections rather than merit leads to declining efficiency within state institutions, increased corruption, and a gradual loss of public confidence in government.

The difficult living conditions experienced by many Rwandans are viewed by some as the outcome of what they describe as President Paul Kagame's unclear and authoritarian political approach. Many Rwandans believe that the country is increasingly facing serious economic challenges, poor governance, and growing insecurity across different sectors.

Unless these challenges are addressed through the establishment of institutions that uphold the rule of law, ensure accountability, and prioritize competence and the public interest, they could contribute to an increasingly tense political environment and hinder Rwanda's long-term development.