The government has reopened livestock markets in four Eastern Province districts following a decline in the Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreak, allowing farmers and traders to resume the sale and movement of cattle, goats and sheep. The reopened markets are in Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Ngoma and Kirehe, according to a livestock market schedule for August and September 2026 shared with The New Times by Fabrice Ndayisenga, Head of Animal Resources Development and Disease Control at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). ALSO READ: Meat prices disrupted amid Rift Valley Fever outbreak On June 26, RAB placed livestock under quarantine in six districts following an outbreak of RVF. The restrictions were later extended to the entire Eastern Province and several districts in the Northern Province, except Gakenke. As part of measures to contain the disease, livestock in affected areas were quarantined, while slaughtering and meat sales were prohibited. Agriculture and Animal Resources Minister Telesphore Ndabamenye recently said livestock had been vaccinated and that the supply of animals to meat markets could resume soon. However, livestock markets in Bugesera, Rwamagana and Kayonza, as well as those in the Northern Province, have not yet been reopened. The schedule lists 12 market days across the four districts between August 21 and September 28. Nyagatare has the busiest schedule, with six market days across four locations. The Katabagemu market will be held on August 21 and September 18, while Rwimiyaga will operate on August 28 and September 28. Tabagwe and Karangazi markets will be held on September 4 and September 11, respectively. ALSO READ: Rwanda tackles RVF using ‘One Health’ approach Kirehe will have two market days at Nyarubuye, on August 24 and September 14. Ngoma will also have two market days at the Gituku/Rukira market, on August 31 and September 21. Gatsibo will hold markets at Rwimbogo on September 7 and Kabarore on September 25. A letter signed by Eastern Province Governor Pudence Rubingisa on August 19 said the schedule followed a decline in the RVF outbreak in the four districts. It noted that the schedule could be changed if necessary and would be replaced with another one after September 28. Authorities have also imposed measures to ensure livestock sold at the reopened markets can be traced. In Ngoma, for instance, farmers have been instructed not to bring cattle to the market without ear tags, while traders have been told to buy only cattle that have entered the market enclosure and bear ear tags. The reopening has brought relief to traders who had been hit by the restrictions. George Gatarayiha, a cattle trader in the Eastern Province, said he previously bought between 20 and 30 cows a week for supply to abattoirs in Kigali. About 10 of his cows died from RVF, causing him significant losses. ALSO READ: Eastern Province on alert as Rift Valley Fever kills over 100 cows in Ngoma District “I have also read the announcement, and as traders, we are relieved. We had been unable to work for some time, so this will help us return to business,” he said. He urged farmers and traders to comply with disease-control measures to prevent another outbreak from disrupting livestock trade.
