THE INDIGENOUS DOMESTIC ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES OF UGANDA

SUMMARYThe author discusses the overall availability and economic role of indigenous livestock resources in Uganda. After a distinct reduction in number during the 80's, there is now an upsurge in the cattle number (4 300 000 in 199 1). The better milk yielding Ankole (Songa cattle) represents nearly half of those cattle, while just over 32% are of the zebu short-horn type (mainly the stocky Nkedi and the large framed Karamojong). The remaining 18% are of the non-distinct Nganda type that probably originated the crossbreeding of the Ankole and zebu shorthorns. While there are no exact data concemin crossbreeding with exotic breeds, it is estimated that there are some 30 000 exotic beef and dairy cattle and around 100 000 crossbreeds. The total goat population remained reasonably stable in recent years (3 700 000 of which 2 000 000 are breeding females). The majority (I 500 000) belong to the distinct smallbodied East Afiican goat type (25–30 kg liveweight), the two other distinct populations being those originating in the Mubende (4 230 000) and the Kigezi (930 000) regions. Both are predominantly black coloured, the Mubende being characterized by a short and fine coathair, the Kigezi being longhaired. All sheep breeds are fat-tailed. The Masai (216 000) is found in the Eastern and Northern part of the country, the Black-head (490 000) in the East and the so-called East Mrican long-tail (257 000) all over the country. The author indicates that there is an indigenous pig type (670 000) and some 1 200 000“village”chickens.