Ankole sub-region

Last updated
Ankole sub-region
Subregion of Uganda
Uganda location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ankole sub-region
CountryUganda
RegionWestern Region
Largest city Mbarara 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 zone UTC+3 (EAT)
Districts and city Buhweju, 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.

Contents

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):

Age groups (2024 census):

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

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

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. ↑ "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. 1 2 3 4 5 "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. 1 2 "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.