Amahembe g'ente | |
 Horns of the Cattle Monument | |
| Location | Mbarara Town, Western Uganda |
|---|---|
| Type | Cultural monument |
The Horns of the Cattle Monument (Amahembe g'ente in Runyankore) is a prominent cultural landmark located in Mbarara Town, Western Uganda. The monument depicts the common locally known concept that Mbarara is the land of Milk and Honey, welcoming visitors to the main city in the Western Region of Uganda. [1] [2]
The monument serves as a symbolic representation of the cultural heritage and economic foundation of the Ankole region. The Mbarara City Horns of a cow monument depicts the unique cultural and historical story of Ankole. [3] The monument celebrates the traditional cattle-keeping culture of the Banyankole people and symbolizes Mbarara's reputation as the "land of milk and honey." [3]
The monument features an artistic representation of the distinctive horns of the Ankole long-horned cattle, which are indigenous to the region. The new monument, an artistic imposture of the Ankole long horned cow was erected this week, with the sponsorship of Airtel Uganda. The iconic cow monument is a reflection of Amahembe g'Ente [1] The Ankole cattle are renowned for their majestic horns, which traditionally curve outward and then inward, forming a distinctive lyre-like shape. [4] [3]
The monument is strategically positioned at a prominent location in Mbarara Town, serving as a welcoming landmark for visitors entering the main city of Western Uganda. This landmark on the Mbarara Masaka Road roundabout had, however, been in a poor state for some time. The monument functions both as a tourist attraction and as a symbol of regional identity. [3] [5]
The monument has been the subject of public discourse, particularly regarding its maintenance and redesign. In 2019, the original monument underwent renovation which generated significant public reaction [6] . The new monument ,an artistic imposture of the Ankole long horned cow was erected with the sponsorship of Airtel Uganda, to replace the iconic cow feature that welcomed visitors to Mbarara. [7]