NYAGATARE- Residents from Rutunga sector in Gasabo District of Kigali city donated cows to their counterparts in Kiyombe sector of Nyagatare District as a way of fostering a stronger partnership among them.

Seven families from Rutunga handed over seven Friesian cows to Kiyombe residents at a ceremony dubbed; ‘Friends’ Day’ held in latter sector.

Speaking to The New Times, Rutunga Sector Executive Secretary, Dismas Nzabamwita said that the new partnership has impacted development in both sectors.

"At first we had a problem of thatched houses. We decided to carry out a study tour to Kiyombe sector after they emerged the first in the district in the drive to eradicate thatched houses.

"We learned a lot of lessons and went back and applied the same method to eliminate thatched houses in our sector. This is why we have started this programme of exchanging cows,” he said.

Emmanuel Mwumvaneza, Kiyombe Sector Executive Secretary, said that partnership with national and international friends was the way forward.

"We are pleased about the partnership we have nurtured with our brothers and sisters from Gasabo District. Apart from this; we also formed partnership with the Rhineland and Palatinate Province of Germany that constructed a school and a health centre. Our vision is to foster partnership as a way of developing our sector,” he said.

During the ceremony, over 90 cows were forwarded to residents as part of Girinka programme.

The residents also disclosed that they had donated a Friesian cow to President Paul Kagame in recognition of his one-cow-per-house hold initiative.

Gaudance Mugirwanake, one of the residents who received a cow from her Rutunga counterpart thanked the government for promoting citizens’ welfare.

"This is a sign that our government has built hope and trust among Rwandans. Imagine receiving a cow from someone from Kigali city. This underscores the unity the government has fostered among Rwandans,” she said.

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