Ankole Cows: Ankole Cattle in Uganda

Ankole Cows: Ankole Cattle in Uganda, Going to Uganda, especially the western part of the country, is the best way to meet the cattle kings. You can see long-horned cattle walking around the huge pasture grounds. One or two cow caretakers are always nearby with long sticks to help protect the cows from danger. It is best to breed these Ankole cows because they can handle harsh situations and do well with less food and water.

The areas of Isingiro, Bushenyi, Ntungamo, Mbarara, and Kiruhura in Western Uganda are where most of the Ankole cattle are rated. The cattle mostly eat grass from the wide areas, but farmers sometimes add other foods to their diets. The cows are known for their long horns, which can be up to eight feet long from tip to tip. Myth says that the horns help the cattle defend themselves if they are attacked.

The History Of The Ankole Cattle

As was already said, Ankole cows are from the Sanga cattle breed. The Sanga breed has many different types of cattle, and the Ankole is a Watusi cattle type. It is said that Watusi cattle are named after the Tutsi people who live in Rwanda. Most Africans believe that the Ankole Watusi cattle are holy. Based on where they are from, some people don’t eat their beef and some do.

The farmers who raised the Ankole cattle are thought to have come from Egypt with the Zebu cattle, which are thought to have come from India. The crossbreeding created the Sanga cattle family, which is where the Ankole cattle came from. Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda are among the places that raise the sanga breed. On the other hand, people in Ghana and Zambezi still play the classic Sanga.

People who keep cattle respect them because they are so important to the families of those who keep them; most people depend on their cattle to provide for their families. They are also used to show how important someone is in society. For example, someone with more animals is more important than someone with fewer animals. The cattle are easy to spot because they have big horns, a neck hump that changes sizes, and a sheath and dewlap that hang down.

The Ankole cows, which the locals also call “Inyambo,” are beautiful animals with long horns that go long distances to find grass and water. A beautiful manifestation of God, they are also seen as a standard for fighters. The calves are kept for their milk and meat, but their skin can also be used to make drums, stools, sandals, and clothes for cultural purposes.

People who are Inyambo live in the Right Valley, mostly along the cattle path that goes from Rwanda to Uganda. People who raise cattle also use the cows’ grazing schedule to figure out the time of day. For example, mornings are called “grazing time,” and nights are called “home time” because that’s when the animals are brought in from the grazing areas.

Because the farmers care for the cattle in different ways, the cattle vary in size. However, the calves are always between 14 and 23 kg, which makes them a good choice for breeding when the time comes. We will start by giving you a quick overview of Ankole cows. Then we will talk about their way of life and the different kinds.

How Much Are Ankole Cows in Uganda?

It costs about $1,000, or 3.5 million Ugandan shillings, to buy a grown Ankole cow.

Ankole Cattle Breeds
In the world of Ankole cows, there are three main types:

The type of Bahema

It is possible to find this breed of animal in northern Kivu, between the Amin and Edward Lakes. People who own Bahemas have horns that are smaller than those of other kinds. Their color also changes over time. This is the main breed that is raised in Uganda. It is mostly raised to make money by selling milk and ghee, meat, and marriage.

Breed of Tutsi

This is mostly grown in Burundi, close to Lake Tanganyika. They are mostly red and have the biggest horns of any breed.

The Bashi Breed

The Bashi Breed lives in the southern part of Kivu, close to Lake Kivu.

The Kigezi Dog Breed

Not many people have the Kigezi breed. It does, however, share some traits with the Bahema breed. This is in the mountains of Kigezi.

How do Ankole cows get the food they need to grow?

The Ankole cows don’t need a lot of protection because they are good at taking care of themselves. For when it rains, all they need is a shed to hide in. When building a cow barn, you need to make sure that all the animals have enough room so that their long horns don’t hit each other. The good news is that these cows can live with very little water and food. They have good gut systems that can take in water from the cow’s body as long as the food they eat has proteins.

How do I sell Ankole Watusi cattle?

They are sold like any other cow, but because they are bigger and have longer horns, they fetch a higher price. You can sell cattle on the farms themselves, or you can bring them to different cities to sell. Ankole cows are usually bought by slaughterhouses that sell a lot of meat all over the country. They can also be sold through word of mouth or online ads, since more and more people are using the internet. In Uganda, the best way to sell these horses is without a doubt through word of mouth. The price of Ankole Watusi cattle is mostly based on how big and old they are.

The Horns of Ankole Watusi Ankole cattle are not only used for food and to draw blood, but their horns are also sold as decorations. Anyone who likes art should have these horns because they make such a beautiful pattern when they are put together. To keep them from getting damaged on the way to the market, these horns are wrapped in natural cowhide and have a twine line between each one. Each of the horns weighs between 9 and 16 kg, and the price can change based on the style the customer wants.

Why Ankole Cows Are Important

Calf milk is used to make ghee and cheese because it has a lot of fat in it.
The blood that is collected from killed cattle is also used to make a tasty treat from the area.
The horses are used to bring people together. When people go out to feed their cattle, they can improve their relationship by talking about different things and their animals.
Farmers make money from their cattle.

Dairy waste, especially dung, is used to finish homes and as fertilizer in gardens, especially banana farms.
Cattle pee is also used as a medicine and a liquid fertilizer.
Cattle are also used to pay the gift, so they are an important part of the wedding ceremonies. And the Ankole people think that dowry is only right if the man gives the bride’s family a certain number of animals.

In different kinds of art, the long horns are used as decorations.
People who take care of cattle also have a high social status; people who own a lot of cattle have a high social status.

The people in the area use the skin and hide of humans to decorate and make clothes.
Cattle also provide food in the form of milk, meat, and many other items.
People in Ankole think that cows are the best gifts you can give someone.

You might want to add some Ankole Watusi cattle to your group for a crossbreed or start your own farm after learning about them. Starting a farm is easy; all you need are some general knowledge about how to raise cows. It is also possible to make new Ankole Watusi cattle by crossing them with other breeds. In exchange for their help, you will have an endless source of manure at no cost.