Rwanda FDA Director General Prof. Emile Bienvenu has been Arrested

The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has paraded 18 people, including Prof. Emile Bienvenu, the Director  General od the Rwanda Foof and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA).

Prof. Emile Bienvenu was among those presented by RIB on August13, 2026. All those presented are government employees, including 10 employees of the Rwanda FDA.

The 10 Rwanda FDA employees include Dr. Nyiringabo Eric, head of the food department; Dr. Nyamwasa, head of the inspection department; Christian Namahoro, a specialist in the inspection of food storage facilities and food outlets; Kangabe Benitha, a specialist in food technology and inspection; and Uwamahoro Elizabeth, a specialist in food safety and monitoring its implementation.

Also among them are Niyitegeka Claudine, a specialist in inspecting food storage facilities and outlets; Ndayishima, a specialist responsible for monitoring medecines for human use after they enter the market; and Nizeyimana Janvier, a specialist in the enginnering of food-processing industries.

RIBB Spokerperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry said that since july 20, 2026, a total of 104 people have been arrested in connection with offenses related to production of substandard alcoholic beverages. Of these, 97 have had case files prepared and submitted to prosecution. 

He said, "the preliminary investigation established that there were licenses that he issued without relying on the decisions of technical committee (International Technical Licensing Committee). We clearly understood that the committee's decision is what he should have based his decision on."

He gave an example of an inspection carried out at an alcoholic beverage factory, where a juice-extracting machine was found to have a large amount of rust.

He said, "it is frightening to see that, despite this, the factory ended up being granted a license, and the decision to issue the license was not based on the recommendation of the technical committee. The investigation established that on April 23, 2026, the Director General of Rwanda FDA issued a Food Business  Operations License(FBO) to a person who had fulfilled three requirements... On may 19, the committee reviewed the inspectors' report and determined the factory should not be granted the license. However, it should be understood that they were reviewing a license that had already been issued."

Some RSB employees have been also arrested

Among those presented by RIB were RSB employees responsible for issuing various certificates, who are suspected of different affenses.

They include Mporanzi Samuel, head of department responsible for issuing national quality certification; Kanyange Celine, head of department responsible for issuing product quality certification; and Kambanda Eric, head of department responsible for issuing system quality certification.

Also among those arrested are three RSB employees who are being investigated over the issuance of the S-Mark certification, which confirms that a product meets quality standards. they allegedly issued the certification to more than 18 companies whose products did not meet the requirements set by the Rwanda FDA.

Dr. Murangira explained that, ordinarily, for RSB to issue an S-Mark, a trader or manufacturer must apply first, after which the product is assessed to determine whether it meets Rwanda FDA requirements. only then is the certificate issued.