Rwanda - Rubavu District Distributes Over 12,000 Cows to Fight Poverty

Rubavu, December 31, 2025 The Rubavu District Administration has announced that more than 12,000 cows have been distributed to local residents under the Girinka program since 2006, as part of ongoing efforts to combat poverty and promote self-sufficiency. During a program visit in Kanzenze Sector, Kirerema Cell, 30 cows were handed over to beneficiaries, highlighting the district’s commitment to improving livelihoods. Mayor Mulindwa Prosper described a cow as a “factory” for households, explaining that it provides fertilizer, milk for nutrition, income from sales, and contributes to overall economic growth. “We ask those who have cows to feed them well, clean them, and insure them so they provide a good yield,” he said. The Mayor also emphasized the broader economic potential of the program, urging residents not to focus solely on raising cows but to exploit business opportunities, including the foreign market, to maximize benefits. According to the Ministry of Local Government, Rubavu District has helped 49.7% of residents escape poverty in the last three years, compared to the national average of 62.4%. Since the launch of the Girinka program in Rwanda in 2006, 12,647 cows have been distributed in Rubavu, with 5,986 received as donations, bringing the total number of cows in the district to 32,645.