Ankole sub-region

Ankole sub-region
Subregion
Ankole sub-region
CountryUganda
RegionWestern Region
Largest cityMbarara City
Area
 • Total
15,067[1] km2 (5,817 sq mi)
Population
 (2024 census)
 • Total
3,608,968[2][3]
 • Density239.5/km2 (620/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)
Districts and cityBuhweju, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kazo, Kiruhura, Mbarara, Mitooma, Ntungamo, Rubirizi, Rwampara, Sheema, Mbarara City

The Ankore (Nkore before the colonial era) was a traditional Bantu Kingdom in Uganda and lasted from the 15th century until 1967. The kingdom was located in the southwestern of Uganda.

Ankole sub-region is a region in the Western Region of Uganda[4] that consists of the following districts:

The area covered by the above districts constituted the traditional Ankole Kingdom.[5] Milton Obote abolished the traditional kingdoms in Uganda in 1967.[6] This was a bold political move that ended centuries of royal rule and centralized authority under his government.[6] When Yoweri Museveni re-established them in 1993, Ankole did not re-constitute itself.[7]

The sub-region is home mainly to the Ankole ethnic group. The people of Ankole are called Banyankole (singular: Munyankole).[8] The Banyankole speak Runyankole, a Bantu language. Runyankole is very similar to Rukiga, spoken by the people of the neighboring Kigezi sub-region.[9] According to the 2014 national census,[10] the Ankole sub-region was home to an estimated 2.56 million people at that time.[11]

Geography and environment

The subregion lies in south-western Uganda within the Western Region administrative grouping used by UBOS.[12]

Protected areas linked to districts in the subregion include:

Demographics

In the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, Ankole sub-region recorded a population of 3,608,968.[15][3]

Population structure (2024 census):

  • Male: 1,684,729
  • Female: 1,924,239[3]

Age groups (2024 census):

  • 0–14 years: 1,372,108
  • 15–64 years: 2,084,082
  • 65+ years: 152,778[3]

UBOS subregional profile reporting for the 2024 census lists 842,783 households for Ankole sub-region.[16]

District and city populations (2024 census):[3]

  • Buhweju: 167,921
  • Bushenyi: 283,392
  • Ibanda: 309,466
  • Isingiro: 635,077
  • Kazo: 208,898
  • Kiruhura: 203,502
  • Mbarara District: 174,039
  • Mbarara City: 264,425
  • Mitooma: 226,009
  • Ntungamo: 552,786
  • Rubirizi: 168,211
  • Rwampara: 162,967
  • Sheema: 252,275

Economy

Livestock and dairy value chains form a major part of local livelihoods in south-western Uganda, with Mbarara frequently referenced in dairy supply and handling studies.[17]

Indigenous Ankole Longhorn cattle remain culturally significant and are documented by FAO as a hardy local breed valued by pastoral communities in the Ankole area.[18]

Culture and languages

Runyankore-Rukiga (ISO 639-3: nyn and cgg) is documented as a Bantu language cluster associated with south-western Uganda, including areas linked to Ankole.[19]

Education

Mbarara City hosts higher education institutions including Mbarara University of Science and Technology.[20] The city also hosts Bishop Stuart University (see official admissions portal).[21]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Uganda: Administrative Division (Subregions and Districts)". CityPopulation. City Population. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  2. ^ Ankole Sub-Region Census 2024 Profile Report (PDF) (Report). Uganda Bureau of Statistics. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Ankole (Subregion, Uganda) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". CityPopulation. City Population. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Western Uganda Guide | Western Uganda Travel, Attractions & Accommodation Guide". western-uganda.net. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  5. ^ "The Kingdom of Ankole". kawa.ac.ug. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  6. ^ a b "Milton Obote Abolished Uganda's Kingdoms | The African Gourmet". Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  7. ^ "Why Ankole Kingdom was never restored". Monitor. 2024-03-03. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  8. ^ Safaris, Gecko (2025-01-30). "Banyankole People of Uganda: Culture, Traditions & History". Visit Rwanda Gorillas. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  9. ^ "Kigezi sub-region grapples with climate change effects". Monitor. 2024-10-24. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  10. ^ "2014 Census". Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  11. ^ UBOS (November 2014). "National Population and Housing Census: Population by District By Sex, Residence, Population Type, Uganda, 2014" (PDF). Kampala: Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  12. ^ Ankole Sub-Region Census 2024 Profile Report (PDF) (Report). Uganda Bureau of Statistics. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  13. ^ "Lake Mburo National Park". Uganda Wildlife Authority. Uganda Wildlife Authority. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  14. ^ "Queen Elizabeth National Park". Uganda Wildlife Authority. Uganda Wildlife Authority. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  15. ^ Ankole Sub-Region Census 2024 Profile Report (PDF) (Report). Uganda Bureau of Statistics. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  16. ^ Ankole Sub-Region Census 2024 Profile Report (PDF) (Report). Uganda Bureau of Statistics. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  17. ^ Uganda Dairy Sector Review Final Report (PDF) (Report). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  18. ^ "Reviving the Ankole Longhorns of Uganda". Family Farming Knowledge Platform. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  19. ^ "Runyankore-Rukiga (Runyankore, Rukiga)". Typecraft. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  20. ^ "Home Courses". Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  21. ^ "Online Application Procedures". Bishop Stuart University. Bishop Stuart University. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
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