LWF clashes with RARDA over cow redistribution

NGOMA – Lutheran World Federation (LWF) an International NGO has raised concerns over the redistribution strategy of the “One cow” program. LWF that also distributed cows following their own criteria is not happy with the new policy that has seen some of their beneficiaries stripped of their cows. Francis Bushaija, an employee with LWF, who monitored the distribution of cows donated by LWF, said that the beneficiaries of LWF cows should not be affected by the on going exercise. “Our categories comprised of all the vulnerable persons. That is the HIV positive and orphans,” he said. “It is wrong to repossess cows from such people, just because they got another from Girinka.” However, Dr. Aimable Uwiyezeye, a veterinary official in RARDA, the implementers of the “one cow” program said that there should not be any contradiction and the redistribution is to maintain fairness. “Cows that were donated by LWF and others shouldn’t cause any stir. However, if they were given to those that do not follow under the category of the needy, they will be given to the right people,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to give every Rwandan a chance to own a cow, but it must be done according to priorities.” Other organizations that distributed cows include Heifer International and Ubudehe. In Ngoma district, 922 cows of the 1619 cows that were supposed to be recovered have been redistributed to the targeted beneficiaries. Only two sectors of Karembo and Rukira are yet to complete the exercise, officials said. Ends