EASTERN PROVINCE

NGOMA — Close to seventy families in Mugesera sector Ngoma district on Tuesday received heifers donated by UBUDEHE.

The beneficiaries included two families seconded by fellow residents from each village, deemed capable of caring for the animals.

Handing over the animals, Arcade Muragijemungu, the sector executive secretary asked the beneficiaries to properly look after the animals in order to gain from them, and also facilitate the chain of transferring the calves to other residents in future.

"Now you will not give excuses of lack of fertilizers because you have got animals that will give it to you," Muragijemungu said.

He however, warned that the animals maybe withdrawn from careless livestock farmers.

"It is quite clear that those who fail to look after the cows as required will lose them to those who need them and are capable of looking after the animals," he said.

He further asked the UBUDEHE committee in the sector and veterinary staff to always monitor the health of the animals.

In a separate interview with The New Times, Muragijemungu said arrangements were underway for residents to be given other heifers from send a cow [Girinka].

"Before this month ends, the sector will have a veterinary drug shop to help the livestock farmers get drugs for their cows," he said.

Gilbert Rutayisire, the sector agronomist said he would be available whenever the livestock farmers need him.

"Make me work because that is what I’m here for. Let us work together and get intended benefits out of these cows," Rutayisire said.

"I am now sure that my only child who is now in senior two will complete his studies even to the university level," Mediatrice Mukantunda, one of the beneficiaries said.

Mukantunda, 41, who said her spouse is in prison over the Genocide atrocities, said they had restored hope in the education of her son.

"Those who did not get them should now start the preparations when it is still early because very soon they (heifers) will produce and we will transfer the calves in conformity with the arrangement," Mukantunda said.

Mugesera becomes the fourth sector in Ngoma district to get UBUDEHE cows after Karembo, Jarama and Gashanda got last year.

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