Rwanda National Police

At least three people were arrested on Friday in Kacyiru Sector in joint operations targeting butcheries and people that operate in unhygienic places or use substandard means to transport meat contrary to standards.

The operations that will continue in other parts of the City of Kigali were conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Agriculture Livestock Inspection and Certification Services (RALIS) – a department at the Ministry of Agriculture—and local authorities.

Beatrice Uwumukiza, the Director General of RALIS, headed the operation.

Two butcheries were also closed in an effort to enforce the ministerial order on transportation and trade of meat.  The butcheries were found to be operating under poor hygiene and using unauthorized facilities to preserve, store and transport beef.

One of the butchery inspected in Kabagali village was found to be extremely dirty with blood and meat cadaver scattered on the floor mixed with internal organs.

The closed butcheries closed also lacked proper meat cutting machines, and cooling facilities to keep meat safe as well as those built operating in inappropriate places, such near hair salons.

One of those arrested was also found transporting about 100 kilogrammes of meat on a motorcycle and concealed in sacks, which is contrary to transport standards.

Article 2 of the ministerial order on transport and trade of mean states that “the transport of fresh chilled or frozen meat for food purpose shall be carried in such a manner to not be seen from outside.”

It also provides that meat shall be properly covered and protected against the sun, rain mud, dust and flies;

Uwumukiza emphasized that health standards in transport and butcheries have to be respected.

Standard butcheries should have hard and washable waterproof materials; effectively protected against intrusion of flies and rodents while walls should be covered with white tiles.

She also urged the public to buy from licensed and hygienic butcheries

“Operations will continue to close butcheries that don’t meet the established meat hygiene standards and putting people at risk of infections such as typhoid and diarrhea,” Senior Supt. Emmanuel Hitayezu, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said.