KIGALI - Over 200 cows were reportedly slaughtered on Christmas day, statistics from responsible officials indicate.  
Mathew Mupenda, an official from Societe de l’abattoire de Nyabugogo (SABAN) in Kigali, told The Sunday Times that demand for beef was higher than supply.  

He said that this was because many people purchase meat in larger quantities than they used to during other days of the year.  

According to Mupenda, during Christmas, the price for beef tends to increase but at a small percentage that cannot affect the consumption of their clients. 

He added that the price at the market increased from Rwf 1,750 per kilo to Rwf 1900 because residents countrywide wanted to have meat as part of their dishes.  

According to Desire Murenzi, the president of SABAN, the statistics show that the consumption is at a low level compared to the past decades. 

"Unauthorized people keep on selling beef to people in inappropriate way because they tend to dodge government taxes and some fees that the abattoir charges,” he said.  

He also revealed that the abattoir usually slaughters between 70 and 80 cows which is below capacity in order not make losses since it can’t sell off the extra meet. 

"People should stop consuming beef from the unauthorized dealers because they stand a big risk of consuming beef that is not good for their health,” Murenzi advised. 

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