On the 30th of June, the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) released the second Rwanda NCD Risk Factors Survey, to quite a bit of media fanfare. 

The study surveyed 5,676 people from across the country, the majority between the age of 30 and 44. And while the study included findings about tobacco smoking, physical activity, and food choices, the findings that seemed to have worried everyone, including the President of Rwanda, was the finding on alcohol consumption.

 So, what were these findings? That, national alcohol consumption was up 7% since 2013. 

 Alcohol is part and parcel of Rwandan culture. It is part of our wedding ceremonies; it is what we gift our elders and joining other men for a drink is a rite of passage for many young men. However, while our forefathers drunk plenty of ikigaji, a traditional sorghum beer, I doubt whether they ever envisioned their descendants would be drinking booze with 45% alcohol content!

Because of these new drinking patterns, there is a general belief that the effects of drinking are creating disarray in our community, and most especially when it comes to young people. 

To discuss whether this is true or not, I’m joined by probably the youngest member of cabinet,  Dr. Yvan Butera, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health 

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