This independent nature has led to repeated accusations that the cow damages crops, resulting in Mukagahutu's arrests, yet the cow loyally follows her to the police station each time.
Mukagahutu resides in Rumonge Commune, Burunga Province, in northeastern Burundi, where she has long combined cattle rearing with farming.
Among her cows, which she names to reflect their positive traits and value, one stands out. This cow, which has calved six times, bears the poetic name 'Biriri Birira mu Cyakunze Abana Bakaririmba,' roughly translating to 'The one that brings joy where children sing.'
In an interview with Akeza TV, Mukagahutu explained why this cow lives separately: 'It stays alone because whenever it tries to join the other cows, they attack it.'
She described its disciplined daily routine; it wakes at 6 a.m., grazes throughout the day, and returns home by 6 p.m. to nurse its calf. 'It does not sleep in the open! It sleeps on the tree behind here,' she said, adding that she leaves it alone to avoid conflicts with the herd.
Because the cow grazes on its own, community members have repeatedly blamed it for crop damage, leading to Mukagahutu being summoned or arrested.
She has paid fines of 200,000 Burundian Francs on one occasion and 500,000 on another to settle the claims. However, neighbors later clarified that the accusations were unfounded, the damage was often caused by other cows, not hers.
One neighbor recounted an incident near Lake Tanganyika: 'We took the matter to Izere, and they claimed her cow had grazed the crops. After she paid 500,000, we found out it wasn't her cow that had grazed the maize.'
What makes the story truly extraordinary is the cow's behavior during Mukagahutu's detentions. Each time she is taken to the police station over these accusations, the cow follows her there.
It stays calmly at the station, grazes nearby without bothering anyone, and returns to rest until her release. Mukagahutu revealed that the cow has even given birth five times while at the police station alongside her.
'Even when they arrest me, we are together. It stays in the station,' she said.
The incidents stem partly from a presidential decree in Burundi banning open grazing in fields to protect crops.
The President of Burundi issued a decree banning farmers from open grazing in fields to protect crops. Mukagahutu tried tying her cow and feeding it prepared fodder, but fearing it would die without freedom to graze, she released it again.
Despite the troubles, Mukagahutu remains attached to her loyal animal. She says no one will take it from her unless they pay 20 million Burundian Francs (approximately USD 6,700).
IGIHE
