This goes out to my Ankole relatives, in-laws and friends.
For starters, God gave you cattle; it is your lifeblood. More importantly, God has given you time “in things” for the past 40 years.
And based on the current trends in the country, your children are the future leaders. Bagyenzi, sit down. This is not politics or sheer rhetoric, but a eulogy or an announcement for something that is fundamentally troubling me.
The Ankole longhorn cattle are a revered asset, so much so that as far back as 2004, Cyril Ramaphosa, then South African vice president, bought a number of Ankole cattle from President Museveni.
As recent as 2024, Zimbabwean cattle breeder Collen Tafireyi made headlines by purchasing a prize Ankole cow named Kethiwe (along with her heifer calf) for a record-breaking $97,300 (Shs 361m) at Ramaphosa’s annual auction. That is heritage, but of late, what have my Ankole kin done?
Copied matoke from Buganda at the expense of building on the Ankole cattle brand. Somewhere in-between, my brothers, we are losing our identity. For instance, Buganda has for years been known as the hub for matoke and coffee.
Even when the stats were falling, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga rallied them with the Mwanyi Terimba drive, and the dividends are there for everyone to see. So, the Ankole cattle are not just a farming animal for profit; they are a symbol of Ankole heritage and pride. It is an identity that gratifies the owner.
Take this example: as a tourist, the moment one mentions Switzerland, the first thing that comes to mind is their chocolate and watches. That is what I want to see when I visit there. When it comes to France, I think about the cognac and fragrances.
If it is Russia, vodka has to top the list. In summary, every culture should have a distinct identity. The Ankole region has been blessed with the unique Ankole cattle, yet of late, I find it ridiculous to associate the culture with empunu.
I watched in disbelief a recent documentary about how the Kabagarame pork market in Bushenyi prides itself as the best in Africa. How! How could Ankole be the centre of pork eating, yet, as President Museveni has continuously stated, the traditional Banyankole culture does not eat pork?
THE ANSWER LIES IN LOSS OF IDENTITY
Over the past two decades, President Kagame has branded Rwanda as Africa’s cleanest country while at the same time showcasing digital sophistication on top of being a coffee hub.
I was shocked to discover Rwandan coffee selling at Starbucks. What is also eye-catching is the constant narrative. I have heard that the mountain gorillas are based in Rwanda, yet in reality, 90 per cent are on the Ugandan side.
A Rwandan gorilla trekking permit, which is almost twice as expensive as Uganda’s, supports this narrative. That is top-level positioning. So, here is my rallying cry from rural Kifuuta, Kyotera, in Buddu to our Ankore cousins for the revival of their rich heritage.
You need to milk the advantages that come with the Ankole cow and not just use it for meat consumption. For example, Ankole tinned beef would be a regional and, perhaps, a global favourite.
Instead of selling a cow for just Shs 2m, why not sell a steak for $50? I haven’t even touched on the commercial use of the skins and horns. The long and short is that the Ankole cattle are a brand, but we have yet to maximize its potential.
That cow is still sacred, but the clock is ticking, and soon it may lose its originality if everyone across the world claims to own it.
The author is an investor, contractor, and football enthusiast.