Ankole Cattle Reference Book

Book Review:
Ankole Cattle Reference Book 2025, by Matthew Murari ya Gureme, reviewed by De Gabriel Tumwine.

Ankole Cattle Reference Book 2025, is a culturally rich and technically grounded exploration of Uganda’s iconic cattle breed. Drawing from personal observation, experience, and expert consultation, the author Matthew presents an insightful, well organised resource that documents the anatomy, behaviour, and cultural significance of the breed.

The book is structured around the core themes such as milk, body structure, coat colours and their names, horn shapes and their names, as well as cattle behaviour traits.

The book captures local naming conventions, idioms, disease profiles, and indigenous cattle-keeping terminologies, thereby offering a unique blend of ethnographic, and zoological knowledge.

Matthew, additionally provides vivid descriptions of traditional milking practices, treatment of disease profiles, and local preventative practices, which is particularly valuable for new, and experienced farmers alike.

By documenting the language and practices embedded in the Ankole pastoral heritage, the book safeguards a wealth of indigenous knowledge.

This work is not only informative but also serves multiple audiences – farmers, veterinary students, conservationists, naturalists, researchers, policy makers, cultural historians. It bridges traditional and science, offering practical insight for herd management, while simultaneously advocating for the conservation of indigenous livestock genetics, and cultural identity.

Published at a time when cross breeding threatens the survival of native breeds, Ankole Cattle Reference Book, emerges as an addition to veterinary classrooms, agricultural libraries, and livestock focussed institutions. More than a reference book, it is a call to protect Uganda’s pastoral legacy.

Reviewer.

Dr Gabriel Tumwine is a veterinarian lecturer at Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security. He is a practicing farmer, and the author of several works including: 4-Acre Model Revolution, Seeds of Success and Wealth, and Who Stole My Dream