Livestock farming in Bugesera district has been crippled after infrastructure was washed away by floods.

According to the farmers, following the collapse of the bridge on Kanyonyombya river, which has been linking Bugesera and Ngoma districts, getting the feeds for their livestock has been an everyday uphill.

“We have a solid concern around feeding our stock as the bridge of Kanyngombwa river linking us with where we can get feeder has been collapsed and washed away due to the flooding.

All livestock and crop farmers have been using the bridge during the dry season, as the current one, to get the feeds on the other side as the grasses in our area have been died from burning sunny period,” said Jean Damascene Rugumire, a resident of Gashora sector in Bugesera district.

“Harbour that the local administration has catered for all the cross river business to canoe going or coming back from the other side is crowded due to a large number of people need to cross daily,” Rugumire stressed.

Farmers, mostly small livestock holders indicate that while Bugesera is mostly comprised of the arid area, during the dry period, most of the feeds for their stock have been sourced on the side of Ngoma district, which is a bit tolerant to the dry season.

The farmers indicate under the circumstances, to cross with animal feeds can cost up to Rwf500 for one round, which can go up to Rwf2,000 every day depending on the times you crossed and the feeds luggage you are carrying.

“You can spend nearly five hours to cross due to a large number of people queue before you and as you have a bike carrying the grasses, you have to pay Rwf300 for the bike and Rwf200 for you to be carried on the other side of the river,” said Emmanuel Kanamugire, a herder.