The Rwanda Education Board (REB) is planning to establish Drug-Free Generation Clubs in schools across the country to help combat drug use among students and encourage young people to adopt healthy lifestyles.


The initiative was officially launched at Lycée de Kigali on October 23, 2026, following an idea developed by four students at the school.


The campaign comes amid growing concerns over the consequences of consuming illicit alcohol, which include deaths and blindness, as well as the harmful effects of drug use on young people's lives and future prospects.

Students Take the Lead in Fighting Drug Use


Hope Teta, a Senior Six student studying Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) at Lycée de Kigali and one of the four students behind the initiative, said the idea emerged during the country's campaign against illicit alcohol.


She explained that students had observed how substance use was affecting their peers, prompting them to consider establishing a club to raise awareness and help prevent further harm.


“We saw that even in schools, there are students who use these substances and end up destroying their lives. That is when we thought of starting the club,” she said.


The students presented their proposal to the school administration, which forwarded it to REB. The board welcomed the idea and considered extending the initiative to other schools across the country.


According to The New Times, the launch was attended by several officials, including REB Director General Nelson Mbarushimana, Deputy Government Spokesperson Jean Maurice Uwera, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports Brave Ngabo, and members of Sober Generation.


Mbarushimana said the clubs would be established in schools nationwide. The next launch was scheduled for a school in Tabagwe, Nyagatare District, on Sunday, October 25, 2026.


He added that preparations were underway to develop a curriculum and guidelines explaining how the clubs would operate and what students would learn during their meetings.


REB also plans to ask school head teachers to support the initiative, while teachers will be encouraged to incorporate relevant topics into their lessons to strengthen efforts to prevent students from using illicit alcohol and drugs.

Creatives Urge Students to Stay Sober


Bonny Bugingo, popularly known as Junior Giti, a film interpreter and music manager, urged students to avoid drugs, drawing on his experiences with former schoolmates.


A former student of Lycée de Kigali who also served as head boy, Giti said some of his former colleagues who used drugs and failed to stop were now facing difficult circumstances in their lives.


He attributed his continued presence in the creative industry to avoiding drugs, noting that some people who once demonstrated talent in music, journalism and songwriting eventually disappeared from the industry after continuing to use drugs.


He encouraged students to remain focused on their ambitions, emphasising that personal development and success were possible through sobriety.


“Life is possible, development is possible, but with sobriety,” he said, adding that success while using drugs was extremely rare.

Government Calls on Young People to Reject Illicit Alcohol


Deputy Government Spokesperson Jean Maurice Uwera said the government supports initiatives aimed at protecting young people from drug use and promoting a drug-free generation.


He called on young people to reject drugs and contribute to building a healthier society, stressing that preventing substance abuse was essential to the country's future development.


Uwera also shared a personal experience, revealing that he had buried his cousin the previous week after his death, which he attributed to illicit alcohol consumption.


He said his cousin had been ambitious and had a child, urging young people not to experiment with illicit alcohol.


Uwera warned that consuming small amounts could lead to increased consumption and eventually addiction, encouraging young people to make responsible decisions that protect their health and future.

Sober Generation Encourages Youth to Protect Their Future


Film actor ShemaryimanzI Dwayne Emmy, one of the coordinators of Sober Generation, urged young people to embrace a sober lifestyle and participate in initiatives aimed at preventing drug use.


He noted that young people would be responsible for leading the country in the coming years and therefore needed to prepare themselves to sustain the progress made by current leaders.


“Where our leaders have brought the country from and where they are taking it must not end with their generation. They need a sober generation to carry on their work,” he said.


The establishment of Drug-Free Generation Clubs in schools is expected to provide students with opportunities to discuss the dangers of substance use, encourage one another to make healthier choices and raise awareness among their peers.


The initiative also highlights the role students can play in addressing challenges within their schools and communities by developing practical ideas that promote the well-being of young people.


Source: The New Times.