Ankole
(transboundary/brand name)

(most common name):
• Ankolé (Burundi, Rwanda)
• Ankole (DR Congo, Tanzania, Uganda)

The Ankole is an indigenous breed that originated in the Ankole sub-region in the Western Region of Uganda. As a breed, it is listed separately by Burundi, DR Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Tanzania reported a stable population of 1,200,000 in 2017. Burundi reported a decreasing population of 530,000 in 2016.

The name ‘Ankole’ is from Runyankore (also Nkore) — a Bantu language spoken by the Ankole people (also called Nkore and Banyankole people) and the Hima people of southwestern Uganda.

‘Ankole’ is also the overall name of a general cattle population susceptible to the tsetse fly.

Ankole cattle types include:
• Bahima
• Bashi
• Inyambo
• Ruzizi
• Toro
• Watusi

Ankole cattle are described as having:
• very long horns
• medium-long heads
• short necks with large dewlaps
• narrow chests

This page was last updated on: 2023-05-14

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