GICUMBI – A total of 109 cows which had been withdrawn from former Cell coordinators in Gicumbi district and given to poor peasants have been returned to the original owners. 

The exercise took place this week in all 109 Cells that comprise Gicumbi district. According to sources, the decision was reached in a District Advisory Council (DAC) meeting last week, chaired by the council chairperson Cécile Nyirantwari.

When contacted, Nyirantwari confirmed the development saying that the "cows had been taken by mistake.”

"The cows were procured by the district from government and donated to former Cell coordinators, for their exemplary service in promoting livestock farming in their respective Cells,” said Nyirantwari.

She explained that the decision was also backed by Ministry of Agriculture.

The decision has however, attracted mixed reactions among poor residents who were hoping to benefit from the ongoing redistribution of cattle earlier distributed irregularly. 

"I was summoned at Byumba Sector on Monday, together with 20 other residents and directed to return the cows we had been given to the former owners,” said Paul Nsabimana, a resident of Kinihira 1 village in Byumba Sector.

"My energy was wasted on feeding the cow and constructing a cow shed, only to be told the animal is to be taken away.”

Byumba Sector Executive Secretary, Jean Marie Vianney Gahano said the poor peasants whose cows were taken away shall be given alternative cows.

"They have to be patient, the sector and district authorities are aware of their cases,” Gahano said.

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