Burundi’s national standards and quality control agency (BBN) has strongly denied accusations of corruption leveled by the country’s lower house of parliament, as public concern grows over the health risks posed by locally produced alcoholic beverages.
BBN has come under scrutiny following claims that it issued fraudulent licenses to beverage producers in exchange for bribes, allowing substandard and potentially harmful products to reach consumers.
Residents in Buhumuza Province, in eastern Burundi, say the consumption of locally made, highly alcoholic drinks—often packaged in plastic bottles—is having damaging effects on both health and household stability.
“The health of consumers of these drinks is becoming very fragile,” said a woman from Gisagara commune in Buhumuza. She added that the economic impact is also severe: “At home, the family economy is weakening. My husband no longer provides even basic necessities like salt,” she said, attributing the situation to his drinking habits.
She further warned that such beverages pose a broader societal threat and called on the government to ban their production altogether.
Another resident from the same commune said they had decided to quit drinking after experiencing adverse health effects. “I used to drink a beverage called ‘Gudu,’” he said. “After consuming these drinks packaged in plastic, I’m unable to get up in the morning to carry out daily activities.”
Lawmakers have echoed these concerns. Earlier this month, National Assembly Speaker Daniel Gélase Ndabirabe warned that the production and consumption of such drinks pose a serious threat to the population.
“What we are seeing is that these beverages are killing people,” he said. “Men who consume them are no longer productive, and we don’t know what their future holds.”
Ndabirabe accused the BBN of failing in its regulatory duties and prioritizing its own interests over public welfare. He alleged that the agency had been issuing licenses to non-compliant producers in exchange for financial gain.
“The BBN is giving false licenses to processing units that produce drinks not meeting standards. It is killing our population,” he said, threatening to seek sanctions against the agency’s staff, including severe penalties if the situation persists.
Agency Pushes Back
In response, BBN Director General Samuel Ndayiragije rejected the allegations during a press conference on Wednesday, stating that there have been no formal complaints of bribery against the agency’s inspectors.
“When our agents return from fieldwork, we have never received complaints from beverage producers accusing them of requesting bribes,” he said. “I cannot guarantee that everything is perfect, but so far, no such complaints have been reported.”
Ndayiragije acknowledged, however, that some producers attempt to intimidate inspectors when their products fail to meet required standards.
“There are cases where producers threaten us when we inform them that their products do not comply,” he noted.
He also cited significant logistical challenges that hamper the agency’s ability to effectively carry out inspections. “We only have one vehicle for field operations,” he said, adding that fuel shortages across the country further complicate their work.
“As long as the BBN lacks sufficient resources, there will always be complaints,” Ndayiragije said. “Those who criticize us do not understand the challenges we face. If they did, they would applaud our efforts.”
This is not the first time the agency has faced corruption allegations from senior government officials. In May 2025, President Évariste Ndayishimiye appointed Samuel Ndayiragije as head of the institution after publicly accusing its previous leadership of failing to fulfill its mandate and fostering a culture of corruption. At the time, the president also criticized the institution for obstructing local entrepreneurs by denying legitimate product certifications while allegedly favoring those who paid bribes
