Kisoro Man Held for Illegally Selling Operation Wealth Creation Heifers

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KISORO – Police in Kisoro District are currently detaining a 47-year-old man on suspicion of illegally selling three government-owned cows that he obtained from the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) initiative.

The individual in question has been identified as Byomugabe Charles, a resident of Rutooma village, located within the Nombe Ward of Rubuguri town council.

Colonel Deo Kayita, the OWC commander for Kisoro district, has officially confirmed the incident. According to Colonel Kayita, the suspect had received a heifer from the OWC project over three years ago. Subsequently, the suspect bred two bull calves, which were then sold before the mother cow was also sold.

Colonel Kayita emphasized that the government strictly prohibits beneficiaries of its programs from engaging in the unauthorized sale of the provided assets. He highlighted that in accordance with the NAADS guidelines, recipients of heifers are obligated to pass on the first calf to another community member, ensuring a revolving system.

Colonel Kayita asserted that Byomugabe will be held accountable under the law, setting an example for others.

He further disclosed that since 2015, more than 800 heifers have been distributed in Kisoro through the OWC initiative. However, the exact number of offspring’s that have been properly revolved remains unknown.

CUE IN COL KAYITA …ON THE INCIDENT…..RR//

Colonel Kayita underscored that numerous similar incidents are currently under investigation, with individuals involved expected to face legal consequences upon apprehension.

CUE IN COL KAYITA….ON THE BROADER ISSUE….RR//

Reports indicate that local leaders at lower administrative levels are frequently implicated in the improper sale and purchase of cows designated for community-based revolving programs. Some of these cattle are even smuggled across the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo for slaughter.

In a statement provided to Our Correspondent, the LC2 representative for Nyarutembe parish in Nyabwishenya Sub County revealed that two cows had already been unlawfully sold. The sales involved an LC3 councilor and the wife of the LC3 Chairperson, Laurent Uwirigiyimana.

CUE IN LC2………ON THE INCIDENT……..RR//

Addressing the situation, Nyabwishenya sub county LCV Councilor, Barihafi Posiano, attributed this government loss to the weak leadership present within the local government structures. He pointed out that inadequate supervision of government projects by sub county officials contributes significantly to such issues.

CUE IN COUNCILOR…..ON THE LEADERSHIP ISSUE…..RR//