Ankole sub-region


The Ankore 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 that consists of the following districts:
The area covered by the above districts constituted the traditional Ankole Kingdom. Milton Obote abolished the traditional kingdoms in Uganda in 1967. This was a bold political move that ended centuries of royal rule and centralized authority under his government. When Yoweri Museveni re-established them in 1993, Ankole did not re-constitute itself.
The sub-region is home mainly to the Ankole ethnic group. The people of Ankole are called Banyankole. The Banyankole speak Runyankole, a Bantu language. Runyankole is very similar to Rukiga, spoken by the people of the neighboring Kigezi sub-region. According to the 2014 national census, the Ankole sub-region was home to an estimated 2.56 million people at that time.

Geography and environment

The subregion lies in south-western Uganda within the Western Region administrative grouping used by UBOS.
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.
Population structure :
  • Male: 1,684,729
  • Female: 1,924,239
Age groups :
  • 0–14 years: 1,372,108
  • 15–64 years: 2,084,082
  • 65+ years: 152,778
UBOS subregional profile reporting for the 2024 census lists 842,783 households for Ankole sub-region.
District and city populations :
  • 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.
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.

Culture and languages

Runyankore-Rukiga is documented as a Bantu language cluster associated with south-western Uganda, including areas linked to Ankole.

Education

Mbarara City hosts higher education institutions including Mbarara University of Science and Technology. The city also hosts Bishop Stuart University.