Uganda hailed on beekeeping

Beekeepers extract honey from hives. Uganda is becoming well known throughout Africa for its organic honey. FILE PHOTO 

“Uganda is known for good value addition and innovation in beekeeping. In terms of skills training, Uganda occupies a favourite position on the African continent and we are pleased. As we still think of how we increase honey volumes on the international and regional markets, let us start by exporting the skills and earn from them.”

Those were the words of Bosco Okello, the chief executive officer ApiTrade Africa, at an apiculture multi-stakeholder platform held in Kampala. It was organised by The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation (Tunado).
He added: “Uganda is recognised as the best producer of organic honey in Africa. Most countries learn from Uganda, some of them pick ideas and documents from [Uganda], change a few things and implement. For instance, [Uganda] was the first to carry out a national residue monitoring plan to have its products accepted in the European Union, Ethiopia learnt from this. Now, they are the biggest exporter in Africa.”

However, he cautioned beekeepers on the dangers of being complacent as they aim at large volume production for this could lead to compromise in quality of honey and other hive products.
ApiTrade Africa is a continental body that organises the ApiExpo to showcase, share information, form policies and also discuss issues concerning beekeeping in Africa.
Information from Tunado shows Uganda will have 40 exhibitors and a number of delegates at the Kigali ApiExpo in September. However, it is agreed that the National Honey Week, which is scheduled for August, will act as a preparation for the big event. Its focus is on quality as a way of opening wider markets.

“ApiExpo is a tool to stimulate interest of stakeholders into the beekeeping industry. Uganda should use this event not only to market our products but also learn from the rest,” said Margarete Ogaba, a honey exporter and director Kitgum honey.
“This is a learning platform, information sharing on best practices on different aspects but we must also use it for lobbying and advocacy as a continent.”