Our livestock no longer die, say Nyamasheke farmers benefiting from closer vet services

Elias Hakizimana Feb 9, 2026Feb 9, 2026 0 Comments

By Elias Hakizimana.

Lack of skilled veterinary professionals, long distances between farmers and service providers, and poor transport infrastructure have long exposed livestock farmers in Bushenge Sector, Nyamasheke District, to heavy losses.

Farmers say the situation has improved following the establishment of a fully equipped veterinary clinic constructed under the PRISM programme and handed over to a veterinary cooperative operating under Nyamasheke Veterinarians Company Ltd.

Jean Uzayisenga, a livestock farmer from Gasharu Village in Impala Cell, Bushenge Sector, says access to veterinary services was extremely difficult before the clinic was established.

“Before PRISM brought this clinic closer to us, we used to travel long distances looking for a veterinary professional. Sometimes we would not find one, and the cow’s life would be in danger or the animal would die,” Uzayisenga says.

**Jean Uzayisenga, a livestock farmer from Gasharu Village in Impala Cell, Bushenge Sector, explains how limited access to veterinary services previously exposed farmers to heavy livestock losses.**

He explains that farmers could travel up to 50 kilometres in search of veterinary services, often without success.

“In some cases, there were only one or two veterinary professionals serving two sectors. If you missed them, the animal could die,” he adds.

Uzayisenga says the lack of nearby services meant farmers often lost animals in their hands, with no professional help available.

“An animal could die right in front of you. Today, with this facility, you can even call a veterinary professional when your cow is about to give birth and they arrive within a short time,” he says.

He adds that easier access to transport for veterinary professionals has reduced service costs and response time.

***Veterinary professionals examine livestock at Shangi Veterinary Clinic, where laboratory-based diagnosis has replaced guesswork treatment practices.***

“Before, you could call a veterinarian at 6:00 in the morning and they would arrive at 6:00 in the evening, when the animal had already died. Now services are faster, prices have reduced, and our livestock no longer die the way they used to,” Uzayisenga narrates.

Farmers in the area say foot-and-mouth disease was previously among the most common livestock diseases, but quicker response and improved veterinary services have helped reduce losses.

Beriane Mukankusi, 55, another livestock farmer from the same area, shares a similar experience.

“We used to walk long distances looking for a veterinary professional while the animal was suffering,” she says. “In my case, two cows died because I failed to find a veterinarian in time.”

***Beriane Mukankusi, 55, a livestock farmer from Bushenge Sector, shares her experience with livestock losses caused by delayed veterinary services before the establishment of the clinic.***

Mukankusi says poor roads and lack of information about where veterinary professionals were located made the situation worse.

“We did not even know where veterinarians lived. Because of bad roads and limited information, fake veterinarians could easily deceive us, take money, and the animal would still die,” she adds.

Improved services and diagnosis

Festus Niyonsenga, Managing Director of Nyamasheke Veterinarians Company Ltd, says the clinic has changed both service delivery and working conditions for veterinarians.

“Before this clinic was established, farmers were losing animals because veterinary services were delayed or unavailable. Even for us, the work was very challenging. We had limited tools and often treated animals without proper diagnosis,” Niyonsenga says.

**Festus Niyonsenga, Managing Director of Nyamasheke Veterinarians Company Ltd, speaks to the media during an interview at Shangi Veterinary Clinic in Nyamasheke District.**

He explains that veterinarians were previously forced to rely on visible symptoms, despite the fact that different diseases can present similar signs.

“Today, we take blood samples, analyze them in the laboratory, and only then decide on the treatment. This helps us make accurate diagnoses, avoid unnecessary medication, and save farmers’ money,” he says.

The Shangi Veterinary Clinic was constructed in 2024 with support from PRISM and officially began operations on February 24, 2024. Nyamasheke Veterinarians Company Ltd had been established earlier, on August 4, 2023, and brings together 194 professional veterinarians, including women and young people.

Niyonsenga says the clinic mainly operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays, in line with market days.

“Because the clinic is close to the market, farmers often bring animals for examination after buying or selling. On those days, we receive between 40 and 50 farmers,” he says.

On average, the clinic treats between 230 and 260 animals per month, including about 15 cows and between 150 and 180 pigs, alongside goats and poultry. The construction and equipping of the facility cost 37.11 million Rwandan francs.

***Inside Shangi Veterinary Clinic, veterinarians prepare samples for laboratory analysis to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.***

Part of a wider intervention

According to Joseph Nshokeyinka, PRISM Project Manager, the programme has so far reached more than 33,000 residents nationwide.

Under PRISM, 15 veterinary clinics, 15 small livestock markets, and modern pig slaughter facilities have been constructed to improve animal health services and reduce the consumption of uninspected pork.

Implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), PRISM operates in 15 districts and focuses on pigs, poultry, goats, and sheep.

Launched in 2021 with a budget of USD 45 million, the programme aims to reduce poverty and food insecurity by improving livestock systems and market access in underserved communities.