Ankole Long-Horned Cattle

Slow Food Presidium

Uganda

Kabale

Breeds and animal husbandry

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Ankole Long-Horned Cattle

Ankole Long-Horned Cattle (also known as inyambo) have a dark brown coat and long white horns that curve outwards and then up, in the shape of a lyre. They are majestic, elegant animals, able to travel long distances in search of pasture and water. Thanks to its impressive horns (almost six times longer than those of European cattle breeds), this breed was once considered the incarnation of divine beauty, a yardstick for women and worriers.
Still today these cattle have a sacred role in the communities that depend on them. They are a maternal figure, a currency, and a gift. They strengthen social relationships, and their elegance is celebrated in poems and songs. Breeders and herders articulate the times of the day through the habits of their cattle: the morning is “grazing time” and the evenings are “home time.” Ankole Long-Horned Cattle are raised in the Rift Valley along the border between Uganda and Rwanda (some are also present in Burundi) in a semi-arid strip often called the "cattle corridor." This rustic breed is kept for both its meat and milk. The milk has a high fat content and is used to prepare traditional products such as yogurt and ghee (clarified butter). The blood is also used as an ingredient in local cuisine.

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The governments of Uganda and Rwanda support the rearing of more productive foreign cattle breeds. As a result, Ankole Long-Horned Cattle, though better adapted to the climate and region, are at risk of extinction. Herds were once numerous (the cattle were kept in groups of 100 known as amagana) but today it is rare to come across even fifty purebred Ankole Cattle. Launched in 2014, the Presidium aims to enrich pastures (mostly by introducing leguminous plants), improve sanitary conditions and the management of animals, and strengthen the breeders’ organization so that they can achieve fairer prices. The 40 Ankole Long-Horned Cattle keepers from Kitenga Subcounty, Mubende District, have discussed production methods and drafted a protocol with guidelines. The 14 milk producers have created an association (the Kibuye Bakyala Tucunde Development Group) and organize training courses.

Production area
Kitenga Subcounty, Mubende District, and the cattle corridor areas between Uganda and Rwanda

Presidium supported by
IFAD
Intesa Sanpaolo Fund for charitable, social and cultural donations
40 breeders and 10 women processing milk members of the Kibuye Bakyala Tucunde Development Group
Presidium producers coordinator
Kakuru Yosam
Tel. +256 789113711

Ziporah Ainebyona
Kayebe women group
Tel. +256 782156988

John Rwapapa
tel. +256 705 037629

Kellen Ankankwasa
Kibuye women group
Tel. +256 783697750

Presidium coordinator
Isaac Kabanda
tel. +256782439148
sharedvisiom@gmail.com

Slow Food Uganda office
Josephine House, Plot 218, Kayunga Road – P.O.Box 259, Mukono
tel. +256 200906662 +256 392178204
info@slowfooduganda.org
The governments of Uganda and Rwanda support the rearing of more productive foreign cattle breeds. As a result, Ankole Long-Horned Cattle, though better adapted to the climate and region, are at risk of extinction. Herds were once numerous (the cattle were kept in groups of 100 known as amagana) but today it is rare to come across even fifty purebred Ankole Cattle. Launched in 2014, the Presidium aims to enrich pastures (mostly by introducing leguminous plants), improve sanitary conditions and the management of animals, and strengthen the breeders’ organization so that they can achieve fairer prices. The 40 Ankole Long-Horned Cattle keepers from Kitenga Subcounty, Mubende District, have discussed production methods and drafted a protocol with guidelines. The 14 milk producers have created an association (the Kibuye Bakyala Tucunde Development Group) and organize training courses.

Production area
Kitenga Subcounty, Mubende District, and the cattle corridor areas between Uganda and Rwanda

Presidium supported by
IFAD
Intesa Sanpaolo Fund for charitable, social and cultural donations
40 breeders and 10 women processing milk members of the Kibuye Bakyala Tucunde Development Group
Presidium producers coordinator
Kakuru Yosam
Tel. +256 789113711

Ziporah Ainebyona
Kayebe women group
Tel. +256 782156988

John Rwapapa
tel. +256 705 037629

Kellen Ankankwasa
Kibuye women group
Tel. +256 783697750

Presidium coordinator
Isaac Kabanda
tel. +256782439148
sharedvisiom@gmail.com

Slow Food Uganda office
Josephine House, Plot 218, Kayunga Road – P.O.Box 259, Mukono
tel. +256 200906662 +256 392178204
info@slowfooduganda.org

Territory

StateUganda
RegionKabale

Other info

CategoriesBreeds and animal husbandry