On April 25, 2026, Rulindo District held national celebrations of World Veterinary Day 2026 with participants from the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors (RCVD), other veterinary practitioners, manufacturers of veterinary supplies, animal resource development partners, other agricultural development partners, farm owners or managers, and community residents.
RCVD and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) partnered with others in the veterinary sector to create this event. This event recognised veterinarians as vital providers of the services necessary for keeping animals healthy, people healthy, producing safe food, and helping to ensure the sustainable development of the nation.
The global theme of World Veterinary Day for 2026 was "Veterinarians are Guardians of Food and Health" and emphasized how the role of veterinarians helps to strengthen the food system of the world, prevent the spread of zoonotic disease, improve the productivity of livestock, and protect the health of people who live in our communities.
Festivities at the event included community events like performing Umuganda, conducting rabies immunizations, and performing demonstrations of the use of ultrasound to determine if livestock are pregnant. This demonstrated the increased efficiency of modern veterinary practice in assisting with the reproduction of animals, managing herds, and increasing the financial viability of farms.
Participants provided milk for 107 children at Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers as an initiative to impact child nutrition and community welfare. This reinforces the link between livestock development, improved nutrition, and a healthier community.
Awards were issued at the event for excellence in livestock service delivery as rated by citizens through the 2025 Citizen Report Card (CRC) assessment. The three districts receiving the highest citizen satisfaction based on the CRC were recognized with awards. Outstanding veterinarians working to further develop Rwanda's veterinary sector were also honored at the event for their professionalism, dedication, and service to their communities.
Dr. Karibwende representing Heifer Rwanda extended the organisation's support to socio-economic development through the sustainable development of the livestock sector, and reiterated the role played by veterinarians in building resilient agricultural systems and promoting food security and public health.
Challenges within the veterinary sector in Rwanda exist for service delivery, such as limited means of transporting veterinary professionals, insufficient study tours and practical learning experiences for livestock keepers, and stronger partnerships are needed within the veterinary sector.
Currently, the Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors (RCVD) has approximately 6,500 members, of which 12% are in the public sector and 88% are in the private sector. Women comprise 38% of the profession.
The Rwanda Council of Veterinary Doctors was created by law to regulate and oversee the conduct of all vets and vet nurses and veterinary premises in Rwanda. RCVDS promotes animal health, animal welfare, and professional accountability in the veterinary sector in Rwanda.
RCVD highlighted that veterinary professionals play a crucial role as key frontline guardians of animal health, food safety, and public health at the 2026 commemoration event held in the Rulindo District, where they contribute to Rwanda's broader agricultural transformation agenda.
Written by : Nyandwi Alexis