Akabanga Pepper Rumour Refuted

Gerald Sina, the director of Nyirangarama enterprises has defended one of his company products; Akabanga Pepper solution, refuting rumours that it contains swine oil.

The company produces several consumable products including; juice, cakes, pepper, jam and alcoholic beverage from organic fruits and vegetables.

Sina noted that those spreading the rumors might perhaps be confusing that the vegetable oil contained in the pepper is obtained from pigs he rears.

“It’s true I rear pigs but I supply the pork meat to various butcheries, I would be mad if used pig fat it wouldn’t only reduce the pepper’s quality but also harmful to consumer’s health,” he explained.

So far the rumors have made a sizeable number of people to avoid consuming the pepper, some religious people including Muslim faithful and seventh day Adventists have refrained from consuming Akabanga since pork is a taboo according to their religious beliefs.

Some restaurants have also reduced serving their clients Akagaba due to the prevailing confusion although Sina says his product sales have not been affected by the rumours about Akabanga Pepper product.

One of the consumers Kevin Muhooza says that it’s ridiculous for Akabanga to have swine oil yet if it’s true he wouldn’t care because the pepper stimulates his appetite while having a meal.

Aline Mukandori a restaurant manager at Kanombe noted that she heard about the complaints several days ago but most of her clients are still consuming the pepper, though some prefer consuming pepper prepared at the restaurant.

Sina noted that, “I think some people want to exaggerate the rumor yet all relevant tests have been done to certify that Akabanga is good for human consumption, Muslims too did their own tests and they found out that the pepper contains vegetable oil not swine oils as some speculate,” he said.

He further pointed out that Akabanga is on high demand at both local and international markets, “Production of this pepper has never been enough for the marker, that’s why for the meantime we’re working round the clock to ensure increased quantity to meet the demand.”