Rwanda | Gicumbi: Minister orders closure of youth center

A furious Youth Minister, Jean Philbert Nsengiyumva, on February 16 ordered the immediate closure of Gicumbi youth center in Gicumbi district, Northern Province, after a delegation he was leading found used condoms and alcohol packs scattered all over.

The ministry delegation was in Gicumbi as part of a tour of Northern Province. Accompanied by several staff, they were met by a spread of used condoms in open spaces and corners of empty rooms. In some places, there were emptied packs of ‘suzzie waragi’ – a crew alcoholic drink made in Uganda.

To the Minister’s amazement, the youth center shares the compound with a bar. At the time of the high profile visit, some teenagers could be seen around the drinking joint – occasionally coming out to have a glance of the powerful youthful visitor.

The female owner of the bar refused to speak to journalists travelling with the minister. She told district and security officials who had detained her that her bar does not sell ‘suzzie waragi’.

Under fire from the minister, Gicumbi district mayor Bonanne Nyagenzi, blamed the situation on the management of the youth centre. He promised the minister that the centre will be allowed to reopen after its management comes up with new measures to safeguard the beneficiaries.