Why Uganda must embrace breed diversity without losing the Ankole legacy

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OPINION

By Jamilu Muzinga

Uganda’s cattle sector faces rising demand for milk and beef, coupled with the realities of climate change, disease pressure, and shrinking grazing lands.

Whereas on the other hand, we possess one of the most resilient and culturally treasured breeds in Africa, the Ankole.

The question we must ask is: how do we modernise cattle production without erasing our indigenous genetic heritage? The answer lies in breed diversity and the careful use of hybrid vigour, also known as heterosis.

Experts from Kansas State University recently reminded global producers that crossbreeding is not random guesswork.

Done properly, it produces cattle that live longer, breed back easier, and withstand environmental challenges. The principle is simple: when you combine different genetic lines, you often get animals that outperform their parents. But here is where Uganda must tread carefully — not every cross adds value, and not every imported breed is suited for our realities.

For decades, exotic breeds such as Friesians, Jerseys, and Herefords have been promoted as the solution to boosting milk and meat production. But too often, farmers have discovered the hard way that pure exotic cattle struggle in our harsh conditions. They require expensive feeds, heavy veterinary care, and sometimes collapse entirely during drought or disease outbreaks.

This is where the Ankole cow comes in. With its iconic long horns, unmatched disease resistance, and ability to survive long treks in search of pasture, the Ankole is a genetic treasure. It is not just a cultural symbol but also a biological insurance policy against the unpredictability of our environment. To abandon it in pursuit of purely exotic breeds would be a costly mistake.

The way forward is not “either-or” but “both-and.” Crossbreeding Ankole with carefully chosen exotics allows us to capture the best of both worlds. The Ankole contributes resilience, hardiness, and low maintenance. The exotic side adds higher milk or beef yields.

Experts stress the importance of breed complementarity. The goal is not to dilute the Ankole out of existence but to strategically combine traits. For example, an Ankole-Friesian cross may not match a pure Friesian in litres of milk under European conditions, but under Uganda’s pastures and management systems, it often outperforms because it can survive without costly inputs.

The danger we face is if we keep backcrossing too heavily into exotics, we risk losing the very advantages of heterosis. In Uganda, this means wiping out the hardy traits of our Ankole and replacing them with fragile genetics that cannot stand our climate.

Breed diversity must therefore become a national strategy. It is not about replacing local breeds, but about making smart, deliberate choices that strengthen the herd. Government breeding programs should prioritise the conservation of Ankole genetics even as they promote selective crossbreeding. We must view this not only as an agricultural issue but as one of cultural pride and national identity.

Ugandan farmers deserve cattle that deliver both productivity and resilience. Exotic breeds alone will not solve our challenges. Neither will clinging to pure Ankoles without tapping into hybrid vigour. But a smart, balanced approach that conserves the Ankole while crossbreeding strategically to offer us a sustainable path forward.

In the end, the Ankole is not a relic of the past. It is a foundation for the future. To lose it in the name of “modernisation” would be to rob Uganda of its competitive advantage in cattle production. The world is waking up to the value of indigenous breeds. We must not discard ours just as it becomes most needed.

The writer holds Msc Animal Science