Feasibility of Beekeeping

in Manafwa and Swam

Catchments, Uganda
May 2015

IUCN Uganda Programme

With funding from

Feasibility of Beekeeping
in Manafwa and Swam
Catchments, Uganda
About the Project
USAID/IUCN Implementing a resilience framework to support climate change adaptation in the Mt Elgon
region of the Lake Victoria Basin project is implemented by IUCN’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional
Office (ESARO) and Uganda Country Office (UCO) through their Water and Wetlands programme. The
project is implemented in collaboration with the African Collaborative Centre for Earth System Science
(ACCESS) based at the University of Nairobi and the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and Global
Water Partnership Eastern Africa, with financial support from the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID). The project’s goal is to enhance coordination and adaptation action between
stakeholders using informed, timely, accurate and comprehensive information to promote societal and
ecological resilience to adverse climate impacts within the Mt. Elgon Region, Lake Victoria Basin.

This publication is produced with the funding support from the American People through USAID.
 Table of Contents
1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 1

2 Aim and objectives of the study.............................................................................. 2

3 Study area and target population ........................................................................... 3

3.1 Study area.................................................................................................................. 3
3.2 Target population..................................................................................................... 5
3.3 Study methodology................................................................................................. 5

4 Key Findings............................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Linkages to regional, national and local initiatives............................................. 6
4.1.1 Regional linkages..................................................................................................... 6
4.1.2 National linkagess.................................................................................................... 6
4.1.3 Local linkages........................................................................................................... 7
4.2 Types of bees and availability of forage in the area............................................ 8
4.2.1 Types of bees in the target area................................................................................ 8
4.2.2 Plants and nectar forage sources............................................................................. 9
4.3 Current status of beekeeping in the area............................................................ 10
4.3.1 Numbers of beekeepers........................................................................................... 10
4.3.2 Organisational arrangements................................................................................ 10
4.3.3. Equipment............................................................................................................. 11
4.3.4 Earnings................................................................................................................. 12
4.3.5 Technical capabilities............................................................................................. 13
4.4 Overview of markets and marketing.................................................................. 14
4.4.1 Beekeeping industry in Uganda....................................................................... 14
4.4.2 Market segments................................................................................................. 15

5 Proposed interventions........................................................................................... 17
5.1 Short term (3 months to 1 Year)........................................................................... 17
5.1.1 Training and capacity building............................................................................. 17
5.1.2 Provision of modern bee keeping equipment.......................................................... 17
5.2 Medium term (1-3 years)....................................................................................... 18
5.2.1 Branding................................................................................................................ 19
5.2.2 Packaging............................................................................................................... 20
5.2.3 Marketing.............................................................................................................. 20

6 Initial financial investment and projected earnings......................................... 21

6.1 Initial financial investment................................................................................... 21
6.2 Revenue projections for the first year................................................................. 21

Glossary of terms ....................................................................................................... 22

1 Introduction
IUCN’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) and its Uganda Country Office
(UCO) are implementing a “Resilience Framework to Support Climate Change (RFCC)
Adaptation in the Mount Elgon Region of the Lake Victoria Basin” Project. RFCC is a
three year (2012 to 2015) project, being implemented by IUCN in collaboration with African
Collaborative Centre for Earth System Science (ACCESS), the Lake Victoria Basin Commission
(LVBC) and the Global Water Partnership Eastern Africa Region, with financial support from
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The RFCC Project is a trans-
boundary project covering both the Uganda and Kenya sides of the Mt. Elgon ecosystem.
The project’s goal is to enhance coordination and adaptation action between stakeholders,
using informed, timely, accurate and comprehensive information to promote societal and
ecological resilience to adverse climate impacts within the Mt. Elgon Region of the Lake
Victoria Basin. It aims to achieve this through the following four main objectives:
i. Improving scientific knowledge and demonstrating preparedness for a changing
climate in the Mt. Elgon region of the Lake Victoria Basin;
ii. Demonstrating increased social and ecological resilience in ‘hotspots’ of climate
vulnerability using adaptation strategies that mainstream ecosystem services,
economic diversification, adaptive management and learning in water and land
management;
iii. Influencing regional policy frameworks to better utilize systems approaches for
building climate resilience and integrating these approaches across sectors and
into poverty reduction strategies and national development plans; and
iv. Enhancing learning at local to regional levels, through better access to information,
networking, capacity building and leadership development.
On the Kenyan side of Mt. Elgon, the project is being implemented in Sabwani Catchment
in Trans-Nzoia County in Amuka, Kwanza and Namanjalala sub-locations - 22 villages. In
Uganda, the project is being implemented in Manafwa Catchment (Manafwa and Bududa
Districts) and in Swam Catchment (Bukwo District). In Manafwa Catchment, the sites are
Bushiyi sub county in Bududa District (2 parishes, 5 villages) and Buhabutsi and Tsekululu
sub counties in Manafwa District (4 parishes, 7 villages). In Swam Catchment, Bukwo
District, the sites are Kortek and Chepkwatsa sub counties both bordering the Mt. Elgon
National Park (2 parishes, 15 villages) (Map 1).
In these villages, the project is promoting nature based solutions to help people adapt
to climate change such as: flood management through construction of trenches, contour
grass strips and tree planting; river bank rehabilitation through natural re-generation
and planting of indigenous trees; slope stabilization through soil and water conservation
structures; and diversification of livelihoods through nature based enterprises such as fruit
trees, coffee, agro-forestry and bee keeping. These interventions are aimed at building
ecological and social resilience in the area.
In line with the above and with a view to promoting the diversification of community
livelihoods as one of the strategic options for climate change adaptation in the pilot sites,
IUCN through a consulting agency Api-Prodex Centre carried out a feasibility study for
beekeeping in Bukwo, Manafwa and Bududa Districts with a possibility of developing
market linkages and value chains for honey and the associated products such as beewax,
propolis etc within the Mt. Elgon Ecosystem.
Communities in the Mt. Elgon ecosystem depend on natural resources for survival to a
very large extent and, in the process, compromise its biodiversity and ecological resilience.
Provision of alternative income generating opportunities such as beekeeping would be
able to improve their livelihoods at farm level, build their resilience to adapt to the impacts
of climate change and also maintain the biological integrity and ecological values of the Mt.
Elgon National Park (MENP).
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 Map 1: RFCC Intervention Sites in the Mt. Elgon Ecosystem. Source, IUCN, 2014

There is a huge market for honey and associated products (beewax, propolis etc) and bees
being the main pollinators of plants and an integral part of the ecosystem sustain plant
propagation which in turn generates ecological sustainability. Beekeeping therefore has
a direct link to enhancing the adaptive capacity of the local community to climate change
impacts and the resilience of the ecosystem through sustainable management. Therefore,
understanding the potential of beekeeping in the Mt. Elgon ecosystem is important
in developing strategies to improve its integrity as well as enhance community socio-
economic development and resilience in the Mt. Elgon ecosystem.

2 Aim and objectives of the study

The aim of the study was to explore the feasibility of beekeeping in the Mt. Elgon
Ecosystem with a view to developing value chains and market linkages for honey and
associated products (like beeswax and propolis) within the Mt Elgon landscape. The study
findings will support the development of nature-based sustainable livelihood options with
a potential of promoting the integrity of the Mt. Elgon ecosystem.
The specific study objectives were to:
i. Review the existing literature pertaining to beekeeping in and around the Mt.
Elgon Region, such as the National Poverty Reduction Framework Papers, National
Development Plans and Sector Investment Plans and District Development Plans
with a view to determining appropriate development strategies that support the
beekeeping enterprise;
ii. Assess the capabilities of the communities and their organisations involved in
beekeeping in the area and highlight strategic entry points for enhanced community
participation in the development of the beekeeping enterprise, trade and/or value
chain addition;

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 iii. Identify and highlight capacity gaps of the key players in the beekeeping enterprise
such as: local community groups, District Local Governments, Uganda Wildlife
Authority and the Private Sector, develop strategies to address these gaps and to
improve capabilities to sustainably develop and manage beekeeping as a nature
based enterprise;
iv. Assess the availability and applicability of forage for bees and the necessary
equipment required for a sustainable beekeeping enterprise in terms of quantities,
specifications and costs;
v. Conduct a preliminary market and value addition survey of honey and associated
products (beeswax and propolis) in the region in order to have an overview of
market potential and opportunities for value addition and any other information
required to support development and successful operation of the enterprise;
vi. Design an appropriate honey enterprise development trajectory/plan of action
including capacity building plan and programme to address the identified capacity
gaps and detailed recommendations of specific interventions and activities that
IUCN and partners can implement in short, medium and long term.

3 Study area and target population

3.1 Study area
The study was conducted in Swam Catchment (Bukwo District) in Kortek and Chepkwatsa
sub counties (2 parishes, 15 villages) and in Manafwa Catchment (Bududa and Manafwa
Districts)in the Sub-counties of Bushiyi sub counties (2 parishes, 5 villages) and Buhabutsi
and Tsekululu sub counties (4 parishes, 7 villages) respectively (Maps 2-4).

Map 2: RFCC Intervention Sites in the Swam Catchment Showing Beekeeping Site.
Source, IUCN, 2014

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 Map 3: RFCC Intervention Sites in the Manafwa Catchment (Bududa District). Source,
IUCN, 2014

Map 4: RFCC Intervention Sites in the Manafwa Catchment (Manafwa District).

Source, IUCN, 2014

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3.2 Target population
The overall target population for this intervention is summarised in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Target Population for Beekeeping in Swam and Manafwa Catchments

Catchment District Number of Target Households Target Population
Total Females Males
Swam Bukwo 593 3,092 1,527 1,565
Manafwa Bududa 528 2,303 1,181 1,122
Manafwa 176 920 442 478
Total 1,297 6,315 3,150 3,165

The initial focus will be the Beekeeping Associations and their group members that IUCN
and the District Local Movements of Bukwo, Manafwa and Bududa have already facilitated
their formation for this purpose and these are:
i. Bududa District: SHEEPA Beekeeping Group and NAMUKULA Beekeeping
Association.
ii. Manafwa District: TSEKULULU Beekeepers Association and BUKHABUSI
Beekeeping Association.
iii. Bukwo District: CHEMWAISSUS, SUKWA and TENDERA Beekeepers Associations
in Chemwaissus Parish and KAPSARUR and CHEBENI Beekeepers Associations in
Kapsarur Parish.

3.3 Study methodology

The methodology used in this study involved; literature review, field work, focus group
discussions and key informant interviews. Literature reviewed included; the Government
of Uganda National Poverty Reduction Framework Papers, National Development Plan
and Sector Investment Plans, as well as the District Development Plans (DDPs) of the target
sites. Field work included transect walks and road drives in order to obtain information on
the overall catchment landscape vegetation, natural resources base, available bee-forage in
terms of plant species and on-going beekeeping activities and support infrastructure in the
target area. In addition, site discussions were held with key stakeholder representatives
such as; District Local Government technical staff and extension workers, Uganda Wildlife
Authority (UWA) staff, Beekeepers Association members and area local leaders.
Focus group discussions (FGDs) involving; beekeepers, Beekeepers Association Leaders,
village team leaders and sampled household heads were conducted in participatory manner
using structured questionnaires. During FGDs, the following information was obtained:
number of beekeepers, scale of beekeeping; type of hives currently used; beekeeping
equipment currently used; technical know-how on beekeeping; quality of products
produced; beehive management practices; product sale and marketing channels and
procedures among others. The participants were also facilitated to identify their strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) Analysis. Key informant interviews were
held with the technical staff of the target District Local Governments (Chief Administrative
Officers, and Sub-county Chiefs, Community Development Officers, Natural Resource
Officers and Extension Workers) and field staff of UWA and political leaders from the
target areas, using a questionnaire.

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 4 Key Findings
4.1 Linkages to regional, national and local initiatives
4.1.1 Regional linkages
The past decade (2001 – 2010) has seen emerging trends in Uganda’s external trade.
Firstly, regional trade with COMESA, EAC and IGAD regions has grown tremendously,
surpassing exports to traditional markets like the European Union. For instance exports to
COMESA rose from about 29% in 2005 to 60% in 2010. Additionally, South Sudan was the
largest export market in 2007 (UBOS 2011).
Secondly, informal trade has grown rapidly from nearly 20% in 2006 to about 34% in
2009 dominated by food items that constituted 38% and 41% of all informal trade in 2009
and 2010, respectively (UBOS 2011). There is increased demand in the regional markets
which are more highly competitive markets compared to the inadequately developed
domestic market. This has resulted in trade imbalances which indicate Uganda’s inability
to meet regional demands at current production levels. Thirdly, there was diversification
and expansion of the export base beyond the traditional exports (coffee, tea, tobacco and
cotton). Whereas diversification expanded the agricultural commodity base, Uganda
remains a primary commodity exporter.
These trends present opportunities for development that will also benefit the Mt. Elgon
Region, such as:
(1) Value chain improvement to increase the value of exports and for import substitution
on value added commodities such as honey to decrease trade deficit;
(2) Below optimal links between production, domestic markets and regional trade can be
improved by increasing new and value added products such as honey in the market; and
(3) Reduction in transaction costs, especially freight costs, that are a feature of Uganda’s
agricultural industry and trade through current interventions to improve both major and
feeder roads such as Kapchorwa-Swam, thus expanding regional markets and trade.
Kenya has a high demand for beehive products especially honey and beeswax. Access to the
Kenyan market would support this initiative and also encourage cross border cooperation
and collaboration in trans-boundary natural resource management. This should be feasible
given the fact that, the IUCN RFCC project has been operating on the Kenya side, in
Sabwani Catchment in Trans-Nzoia County. Hence, the beekeeping programme can be
developed within this context and of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development
Programme (CAADP) framework and is aligned to the National Development Plan and
relevant Sector Strategies and Investment Plans, as indicated below:

4.1.2 National linkages

National Development Plan, 2010-2014: The Government of Uganda’s National
Development Plan, which is Uganda’s overarching five-year strategic framework for
economic development, recognises that agriculture employs most of Uganda’s working
population and is where most livelihoods are vested. This then makes it an important
entry point and framework to work within in addressing poverty, food security and
income generation, especially of the rural poor and women such as those in the Mt.
Elgon. Agriculture, to which beekeeping technically falls, is also the basis of growth and
underpins Uganda’s exports whereby honey value addition and market linkages support
would benefit at the national level.

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Agricultural Sector Development Strategy and Investment Plan (DSIP), 2010/11 – 2014/15.
The DSIP has two objectives: to increase rural incomes and livelihoods and to improve
household food and nutrition security. The key areas of investment are enhancing production
and productivity, improving access to markets and value addition, creating an enabling
environment and institutional strengthening in the sector. Again, beekeeping honey value
addition and market linkages support would be linked to this at the national level.
Uganda Strategic Investment Framework for Sustainable Land Management, 2010 –
2020. This framework offers programmatic approaches to address land degradation and
promote sustainable land management and is aligned to the Comprehensive African
Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) pillar 1. Hence, the IUCN’s FRCC
Project interventions are within the armpits of this national framework and lends support
to this noble undertaking at the national level particularly the promotion of nature based
solutions to help people adapt to climate change such as: flood management; river bank
rehabilitation; soil and water conservation; and diversification of livelihoods through
nature based enterprises such as fruit trees, coffee, and bee keeping. All these interventions
are aimed at sustainable land management that builds ecological and social resilience.
National Trade Policy 2008 and the National Trade Sector Development Plan, 2008/9 –
2012/13. This Policy and Investment Plan are still valid in our context. They are aimed at
enhancing competitiveness in the regional markets through developing capacity to exploit
existing and future market opportunities. This feasibility study is informed by the impacts
of climate change and variability in Mt. Elgon ecosystem that have necessitated the need
for diversification of community livelihoods as one of the strategic options for climate
change adaptation in addition to other options mentioned above. This Policy directive and
Sector Development Plan offers an opportunity for success at national level in terms of an
enabling legal framework and governance environment.

4.1.3 Local linkages

The District Local Governments have the legal mandate to spur development in their
areas of jurisdiction and are interested in the beekeeping initiative. The technical staff and
extension workers from the District will be trained to work with the beekeepers in moving
this initiative forward. They will also benefit from the knowledge which they can apply
beyond the project sites. In this regard, the districts will benefit from enhanced technical
skills in beekeeping as well as increase local revenue.
Since this initiative is linked to the Mt. Elgon National Park it will therefore improve the
working relations between UWA and the communities bordering MENP and ultimately
enhance the integrity of MENP in addition to improving community livelihoods. This
offers an enabling working environment for both technical and financial support and
leveraging from UWA.

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 Conclusion
There are enabling frameworks regionally, nationally and locally to fully support
the linkages and synergies so as to secure the success and sustainability of this
intervention at all levels (regional, national and local). The enabling environment
offers opportunity for income diversification, tangible and visible streams of
economic benefits accruing to those involved at all levels of the chain including
multiple benefits from activities that save the environment at local level. This
situation therefore, gives rise to an opportunity to introduce appropriate modern
beekeeping technologies and approaches for proper exploitation of the existing
natural potential in the Mt. Elgon ecosystem and meet the demand regionally,
nationally and locally.

Recommendations
i. Work within the existing policy and poverty reduction frameworks and
through existing structures/systems at all levels and build on local ownership
including community-based organisations and beekeeping associations.
ii. Form partnerships and networks, collaboration and harnessing synergies that
enhance success of interventions at all levels to exploit and/or benefit from the
existing policies framework described above
iii. Support local community capacity building efforts to enhance local technical
and management capacity, improve farmers’ skills for regional, national and
local market access and integration in order to empower them to be self-
sustaining and reliant.

4.2 Types of bees and availability of forage in the area

4.2.1 Types of bees in the target area
For beekeeping to be successful, it is very
important to know the types (species) of
bees that inhabit the area of operation for
management purposes. In this case the
common species of bees found in the Mt.
Elgon region are African honey bees, Apis
mellifera scutellata (yellow in colour, top
right) and Apis mellifera adansonii (black in
colour, below right).
The main features of these bee species is that,
they are gentle and docile unless threatened.
They have rapid ability for increasing
hive strength and their colony reaches its
maximum when nectar flow is very high,
but require effective management for the
production of propolis, hence the need for
community capacity building.

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4.2.2 Plants and nectar forage sources
The vegetation of Mt. Elgon ecosystem inside the National Park is unique with very diverse
biodiversity value resulting from high relief, soil and climate diversity which leads it to
have a variety of flowers for bee-forage. Such a diverse floral biodiversity renders the
existence of a significant number of plant species necessary for beekeeping. The diversity
of plant species therefore, makes beekeeping in Mt. Elgon feasible with high potential for
development into a viable economic activity. Each ecological zone of the vegetation gives
different nectar sources making the Mt. Elgon honey organic and unique in taste. The
vegetation is in several broad zones and these are:
i. The moorland or Afro-alpine zone (3,500-4,321m a.s.l.). This zone contains
Senecio elgonensis, Erica tree, giant lobelias with hairy leaves and plumes of tiny
blue flowers, ladies’ mantle tussocks (Archimilla elgonesis) and pink and white
everlasting flowers. The summit of the mountain is vegetated by rare Afro-montane
species that include giant forms of lobelia and groundsel.
ii. The heath zone (3,000-3500m a.s.l). The heath zone is characterized by giant
heather interspersed with grassy swards of blonde tussock grass dotted with pink
and white everlasting flowers (Ericriceum brownie and jonstonii), flame-coloured
gladioli, blue delphiniums and red hot pokers.
iii. Mixed bamboo zone (2,500-3,000m a.s.l). The zone changes to mixed bamboo at
2,500-3,000m. The bamboo merges into open woodland dominated by hagenia
abyssinica and African rosewood interspersed with hypericum – a giant form of St.
John’s wort.
iv. Tropical montane forest (1,500-2,500m asl). Common tree species encountered in
the tropical montane forest are olive Oleahochstetteri, prunus africanas, Elgon teak,
podocarpus, cedar, Cordia, Neoboutania, allophyllus tombea and Aningueriaadolfi-
friedericii some of which are rich nectar sources for foraging bees.
v. The lower plains (below 1,500m a.s.l). The lower mountain slopes are covered with
dense forest and regenerating forests, hung with vine-like lianas, epiphytes and
lichens. The floor is covered with a carpet of ferns, orchids and flowering plants.
On the other hand, outside the National Park, intensive agriculture activities have
dramatically reduced the indigenous diversity of flora and natural tree cover that used to
form the main forage for bees on the community lands. However, the current interventions
by IUCN of planting indigenous tree species on farmlands, homesteads and along the river
banks will help in addressing the short fall of indigenous forage for bees in the medium
and long term since most of the trees being planted are good nectar sources. Also, the
community lands are already covered with crops and plant species with unique flowers
which are as good as those found only inside a park. These tree plant species are very good
as forage for beekeeping and include: Acacias and Aalbizia-cariaria supplemented by an
immense agronomy of mangos, bananas, coffee, barley, millet, beans, cassava and maize.
All these planted crops are either perennial or annual and are very good as bee forage.
It should also be noted that, worker bees can fly three kilometres or more when foraging
and the queen bee can fly even 10 kilometres on her mating flights. From the beekeeping
management perspective, this means that, even when the hives are cited at the edge of
the park or on community farmlands, the bees can still be able to fly to the nectar sources
inside the Park. Furthermore, it should be noted that, bee orientation is better in mountains
than in plains. The management implication of this is that, even if the bees go deep into
park, they will always find their way back into the hives placed at the edge of the park or
on community farmlands. Hence, beekeeping is feasible both inside and at the edge of the
Park as well as on the community farmlands in the Mt. Elgon ecosystem.

9
 Conclusion
The Mt. Elgon NP Ecosystem is unique with very high plant biodiversity due to high
relief, different soils and climate diversity which leads to a variety of flowers for
bee-forage. The diversity of plant species therefore, makes beekeeping in Mt. Elgon
NP feasible with high potential for development into a viable economic activity.
Each ecological zone of the vegetation gives different nectar sources making the Mt.
Elgon NP very good for bee forage.
Outside the National Park, the current interventions by IUCN of planting indigenous
tree species on farmlands, homesteads and long river banks will help in addressing
the short fall of indigenous forage for bees in the medium and long term. Also, the
community lands are covered with crops and plant species with unique flowers of
planted crops that are either perennial or annual and are very good as bee forage.

Recommendations
i. Promote wood fuel saving technologies and use of alternative energy
technologies and continued tree planting on farmlands so as to significantly
reduce the rate of loss of biodiversity.
ii. Conserve local species of plants in appropriate areas.

4.3 Current status of beekeeping in the area

4.3.1 Numbers of beekeepers
Currently, beekeeping in the area is constituted by three different categories of beekeepers;
wild honey gatherers, individual beekeepers who have organised themselves to form
Beekeepers Associations. However, the total number of beekeepers in all the target areas
could not be established except the numbers of those in the Beekeepers Associations were
recorded as 771 registered members as indicated below:
i. SHEEPA Beekeeping Group and NAMUKULA Beekeeping Association in Bududa
District with a group membership of 126 and 303 respectively, total 429.
ii. TSEKULULU Beekeepers Association and BUKHABUSI Beekeeping Association in
Manafwa District with a group membership of 70 and 156 respectively, total 226.
iii. CHEMWAISSUS, SUKWA and TENDERA Beekeepers Associations in Chemwaissus
Parish with a total group membership of 93 and KAPSARUR and CHEBENI
Beekeepers Associations in Kapsarur Parish with a total group membership of 50,
giving a total of 143 members in Bukwo District.

4.3.2 Organisational arrangements

IUCN facilitated participatory dialogue for collaborative resources management between
communities neighbouring MENP in Swam and Manafwa catchments and the Uganda
Wildlife Authority officials. To this effect, the above associations were formed and duly
registered by their respective District Local Governments as CBOs under the Department
of Community Services and Development and issued with certificates as CBOs. UWA
subsequently mapped and allocated to them land inside the MENP for placement of
beehives. All these initiatives are geared towards improving the working relations between
UWA and the communities bordering MENP and ultimately enhance the integrity of
MENP in addition to improving community livelihoods.

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Already, there is marked improvement in the working relations between UWA and the
communities in the two parishes in the Swam Catchment as manifested by the formation of
Chemwaisus Parish MENP Boundary Management and the removal of pillars from inside the
Park where the community of Chemwaisus Parish had shifted them after encroaching into
the park. There are also plans for the communities and UWA to plant a park boundary of 20
meters width along the target parishes with a band of indigenous trees stretching the entire
parishes’ boundary as UWA has already consented to this arrangement pending finalisation of
the boundary negotiations. The trees will be planted, managed and used by the communities
themselves with supervision from UWA. This arrangement is meant to reinforce the collaborative
resources management approach and further improve the working relations between UWA and
the communities bordering MENP and ultimately enhance the integrity of MENP.
This intervention offers an opportunity for the formation of new groups and strengthening
of existing small groups. The small groups should be encouraged to federate to form large
groups of beekeepers as long as they are homogeneous in social and economic status and
ready to support each other. Having a large group of experienced beekeepers would
be beneficial for the mentoring of new beekeepers and passing on the skills to others. In
this process of group formation, there is a need to broaden the membership while giving
special consideration to gender issues and marginalised groups such as women.
In order to ensure that a crucial segment and critical mass of the population is involved
in the new beekeeping opportunities, women and gender awareness activities will need
to be linked to the beekeeping programme. Women may be more interested to take full
responsibility for beekeeping because in the project demographically there are more women
than men. Care will need to be taken to select interested women who can make time for
these extra activities. To start with, women from households that are already engaged in
beekeeping or women who express interest to start beekeeping as a new enterprise should
be given priority. Women can enlist the help of the men of their households to look after
the bees at times when other duties take priority. It is important to discuss with women
only groups to help them identify their main interest. Some may choose to undertake
beekeeping work at every stage (including hiving swarms, inspecting and feeding colonies
and other management) but others may prefer to let the men manage the bees and work on
bee product processing and value addition during the less busy times of their day.
In lieu of the above, it is IUCN’s desire to facilitate the institutional and organisational
development processes of these communities in the apiary industry development including
but not limited to: group dynamics institutional strengthening; provision of modern bee
keeping equipment; capacity building in bee keeping and honey value addition and market
chain development. And, this formed the basis for this feasibility study.

4.3.3. Equipment
Currently, the majority of the beekeepers are either wild honey gatherers or use traditional
log hives thatched with grass except those who belong to the Beekeepers Associations
who have taken their own initiative and acquired several dozens of Kenya Top Bar
(KTB) beehives which they have now placed inside MENP in the land allocated by UWA,
particularly so in Swam Catchment.
In this regard, the community of Chemwaisus has already placed 69 local beehives in the
9 hectare land mapped out by UWA for this purpose and similarly, the community in
Kapsurur Parish have already placed 80 beehives (55 local and 25 KTBs) in MENP located
in 5 hectare area within MENP that was demarcated by UWA for this purpose (Map 2).
However, the MoU between the community and UWA stipulates that, the communities
must use modern honey harvesting equipment while harvesting honey in order to avoid
possible incidences of fires in the Park. This lends support to the equipping of beekeepers
with modern beekeeping equipment and skills.

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 A bee keeper in Swam Catchment checking his beehive inside Mt. Elgon National Park. IUCN is supporting
beekeeping initiatives in collaboration with Uganda Wildlife Authority for the improvement of community
livelihoods and community-Park relations.

4.3.4 Earnings
In terms of earnings, it was not possible to quantify the earnings from wild honey gatherers
within the timeframe of this study (10 days field work). Also, those using Kenya Top Bar
(KTB) beehives had just started and had not yet got their first harvests.
However, interviews with users of traditional log beehives indicate that, the yield from one is
4.5 kgs of honey on average per annum and 1 kg of honey is sold at UGX 9,000/= (about USD
3) at farm-gate price. Table 2 below illustrates the current output of honey from these beehives
in the study area. In monetary terms, this output is still quite low but offers an opportunity for
expansion since there is commitment from the community and market demand high.

Table 2: Current output of honey and earnings by the current beekeepers

Production Chemwaisus, Kapsarur, Bushiyi, Tsekululu &
Area Bukwo District Bukwo District Bududa District Bukhabusi
Manafwa District
Number of 130 31 50 40
log beehives
Average 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5
Production in
Kgs/beehive/
Annum
Average unit 9,000 9,000 9,000 9,000
Price/Kg
Value in 4,680,000 1,116,000 1,800,000
1,440,000
UGX/Annum
Value in 1,560 372 600 480
USD/Annum

12
4.3.5 Technical capabilities
As mentioned earlier, beekeeping in the area is currently constituted by three different
categories of beekeepers; wild honey gatherers, individual beekeepers and beekeepers
who have organized themselves to form Beekeepers Associations. Although the majority
of beekeepers possess traditional beekeeping knowledge across the board, the community
in general faces some serious challenges and these include but not limited to:
i. Lack of skills to manipulate the bees to produce more honey;
ii. Lack of financial institutions operating in the target areas that could offer credit
facilities for modernisation and expansion of the bee keeping;
iii. Lack of honey processing and storage skills and equipment such as airtight buckets;
iv. Inadequate knowledge and skills of handling bees;
v. Local carpenters/artisans lack hive specifications and tools to produce desirable hives;
vi. Lack information and knowledge on basic bee behaviour and markets;
vii. lack of proper farm inputs/tools for beekeeping such as smokers and protective wear;
viii. Lack skills for good beehives siting and they end up hanging them in tall trees
which makes manipulation of the hive difficult and uncomfortable; and
ix. Lack of knowledge on products from the hive leading to wastage of beeswax and
propolis.
During the discussions, all community members and categories of beekeepers
expressed the need to learn proper beekeeping skills to be able to work on their
beehives even during daytime especially when they start siting beehives inside
the allocated bee-keeping sites inside Mt. Elgon National Park. This capacity gaps
therefore, need to be filled across the board.
In as far as the community associations are concerned, the following was observed:
i. The community associations lack the capacity to reach all the beekeepers in the
target area. This results in weak organisations not capable of advocating for the
members.
ii. Association members lack skills, knowledge and experience in beekeeping and have
inadequate organizational skills. The effect of this is that they are unable to act on
behalf of the groups to provide for the skill requirements/needs of the members.
iii. Whereas the aggregate production of honey from this area is high, there is no
collective buying and selling of the product making accessing a good market difficult.
IUCN would now like to facilitate institutional and organisational development processes
of these communities in the apiary industry development including but not limited to:
provision of modern bee keeping equipment; capacity building in bee keeping and honey
value addition and market chain development. This formed the basis for this feasibility study.

13
 Conclusion
The number of active beekeepers in the area is still low to generate a critical
and viable volume of honey at commercial scale. Also, although the majority
of beekeepers possess traditional beekeeping knowledge across the board, the
community in general faces some serious organisational, financial and technical
challenges as highlighted above. Largely because of these deficiencies, the current
output of honey from the study area and earnings are still quite low but offer an
opportunity for expansion since there is commitment from the community and
market demand is high. In addition, because of this initiative, there is marked
improvement in the working relations between UWA and the communities
bordering MENP particularly in Swam Catchment and this is good in enhancing
the integrity of MENP in addition to improving community livelihoods and should
be promoted further with a gender and vulnerable groups affirmative action.

Recommendations
i. Continue to promote and facilitate participatory dialogue for collaborative
resources management between communities neighbouring MENP in Swam
and Manafwa catchments and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
ii. Broaden the membership of the existing associations while giving special
consideration to gender issues and marginalised groups such as women.
iii. Form new groups at village level, strengthen existing small groups and
these small groups should be encouraged to federate to form large groups of
beekeepers as long as they are homogeneous in social and economic status
and ready to support each other.
iv. Facilitate institutional and organisational development processes of these
communities in the apiary industry development including but not limited
to: provision of modern bee keeping equipment; training on group formation
and dynamics; capacity building in bee keeping and honey value addition
and market chain development.

4.4 Overview of markets and marketing

This section only provides an overview on markets and marketing since this was not the core
purpose of this study as it will be dealt with during the Value Chain Development Phase.

4.4.1 Beekeeping industry in Uganda

In Uganda, beekeeping as an economic enterprise is not well understood and established.
However, the marketing and selling of locally produced honey, typically sold through
local markets is profitable and the sales are not even meeting current market demand. The
honey is either gathered from wild honey bee colonies or is produced by few
local beekeepers. Because of this scale of production, the industry’s production yields are
limited, with the local honey meeting only 26% of market demand.
For example, in Mbale town all the super markets are selling honey from Mukono,
Kampala, and Saudi Arabia and there is no honey from the region. A kilogram of honey in
the Supermarket in Mbale costs Ugshs 15,000 (i.e. USD 6) while honey in the village costs
Ugshs 8,000 (i.e. USD 3) per kilogram. Even hotels which host the majority of the tourists
visiting the area also serve imported honey. Indeed, during the survey, some of the tourists
were asking for honey branded Mt Elgon. It should also be noted that, only honey is being
traded by the beekeepers in the Catchments while other products such as beeswax and
propolis are just thrown to waste. Value addition and additional product development
would enhance the market potential of Manafwa and Swam Catchments’ hive products.

14
In order to help beekeepers to economically gain from beekeeping, establishing simple
market facilitation for honey and beeswax products is necessary. This can be encouragement
of farm gate marketing in form of advertising information to visitors about availability of
local honey and from where to buy it. For this purpose, they can use billboards, direction
signs, farm-gate signs for example

4.4.2 Market segments

Honey and other hive products are demanded for a variety of useful applications in a
wide range of industries and domestic use such as; the food industry, pharmaceutical,
cosmetics and energy sectors. The applications and demand are proportional to the level
of technology. Therefore, the advanced economies of Europe, USA, Japan and a number of
Asian countries have got the largest use and market share of these products.
Food sector
The food industry takes the largest share of hive products in general using 80% of all honey
traded. The products in this group include honey, royal jelly and pollen. In addition, a number
of other products are derived from honey e.g. wines. Royal jelly and pollen are extremely good
for human nutrition and the market demands are much higher compared to honey.
Table 3 Potential Uses of Honey
PRODUCTS POTENTIAL USES
Food Most commonly consumed in its unprocessed state (e.g.
liquid, crystallized or in the comb).
The traditional use of honey in food preparations has been
Food ingredients substituted by sugar and various sugar syrups derived from
starches. These exhibit similar characteristics to honey, but at
a much reduced cost.
Honey can substitute for all or part of the sugar in most
Natural health and products. Limitations include costs, handling characteristics
biological products and the natural variations in honey which change the end
product, make it more variable and require more frequent
adjustments in the industrial formulation.
Baked products Advantage: products containing honey tend to dry out more
slowly, have a lesser tendency to crack, offer an improved
aroma.
Confectionary Disadvantage: Honey used in confectionary products can
production only be used in small amounts. In caramels, for example,
honey reduces preservation time and softens the caramels at
the surface, causing them to stick together.
Breakfast cereal Used in either its liquid form or dried and pulverized both
for better flavour and increased consumer appeal.
Ice cream Disadvantage: Honey in ice cream causes the ice creams to
melt more easily and at lower temperatures than those made
with sugar, causing issues in distribution and sales.

Non-alcoholic beverage Need to use a special ultra filtration process to eliminate

industry (e.g. functional impurities. Ultra filtered honey loses some of its flavour and
drinks/iced tea). color, but gains in consistency, which is highly appreciated
by food processors for its lower production costs.
Ingredient in Honey is used in moisturizing and nourishing cosmetic
medicine-like products creams, and pharmaceutical applications.
Tobacco industry to
improve and preserve
tobacco’s aroma and
humidity
15
 Pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry
Honey and other hive products are used extensively in the pharmaceutical industry. Api-
therapy is one of the most modern and a useful therapeutic approach adopted worldwide
and is free from side effects. A number of products in the pharmaceutical industry apply
honey, propolis and wax (on the basis of the api-therapeutic properties) as key ingredients
e.g. creams, balms, etc.
Propolis is probably the most studied hive product from the pharmacological point of view. It
is used worldwide in thousands of pharmacies, medical offices, human or veterinary medicine
clinics, experimental laboratories, etc. With over 3,000 constituents already discovered, the
complex composition of propolis makes this product widely applicable in this industry.
Beeswax, classically an inert substance, has some interesting properties which are
important to the api-therapists. Cosmetologists have accepted beeswax properties that
show the value of the product. The wax is anti-septic, is emollients, is anti-inflammatory, is
cicatrising, it helps smoothen and make elastic structure.
Royal-jelly is an extraordinary natural product used for feeding young larvae and the
queen bee. However, in humans, royal jelly has effects which are related to the sexual,
genital and endocrine systems. It increases the level of thyroxine, cortisone, luteinizing
hormone, testosterone and progesterone hormones in the blood just to mention but a few.
Bee-venom, is the principle behind Bee Venom Therapy (BVM), commonly practiced
in the US and European countries. It is administered by experienced persons against
cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, nervous system diseases, eye diseases,
skin diseases, endocrine system diseases, genital apparatus diseases, immune system
diseases, viral diseases, cancers, allergies, etc.
Energy sector
Energy Sector Wax is demanded for the production of high grade candles whose demands are on
increase locally, regionally and internationally. Candles made from bees wax are “natural” and
give negligible pollution to the most immediate environment since beeswax candles clean air.
For example in 2003 World Trade in beeswax was 10,336 tonnes of wax exported and
11,949 tonnes imported with Europe as the biggest importer and Asia the biggest exporter.
Around 20 percent of the beeswax trade is used for candle making.

Table 4: World Trade in Beeswax in 2003

Region Year Export (Tonnes) Import (Tonnes)

World 2003 10.336 11,949

Asia 2003 5,213 1,995

Africa 2003 795 258

Europe 2003 2,167 6,873

Kenya 2003 0 1

Uganda 2003 0 0

16
 Conclusion
Beekeeping as an economic enterprise is not well understood and established in
Uganda in general and Mt. Elgon Region in particular. The marketing and selling
of locally produced honey is done through local markets, is low scale but, profitable
and the sales are not even meeting current market demand. Honey and other
hive products are on a high demand for a variety of useful applications in a wide
range of industries and domestic use such as; the food industry, pharmaceutical
and cosmetics sector and energy sector. The advanced economies of Europe, USA,
Japan and a number of Asian countries have got the largest use and market share
of these products and this offer and opportunity for the Mt. Elgon honey and other
products in the international market in addition to the regional and local market.

Recommendations
i. Facilitate institutional and organisational development processes for the
apiary industry development including but not limited to: capacity building
of producers and financial leveraging.
ii. Promote honey value addition and develop honey and other associated
products market chains and linkages.

5 Proposed interventions
5.1 Short term (3 months to 1 Year)
This short term intervention plan was determined on the basis of the needs identified during
the meetings held in the target area during the study. The priorities and anticipated benefits
are therefore in full compliance with the communities’ needs and future goals. There is a
strong commitment by the beekeepers and the general community to implement these actions,
succeed and to significantly contribute to the sustainability of the interventions in the long
term. Table 5 below summarise these immediate interventions. These are mainly on training
and provision of modern beekeeping equipment and inputs as indicated in Tables 6 below:

5.1.1 Training and capacity building

The training envisaged is to cover basic introduction to modern beekeeping which will
enable the Mt. Elgon beekeepers and stakeholders to operate and manage the beekeeping
interventions. The areas of training, target beneficiaries, duration and budget are given
in Table 5 below:
The issue of developing and keeping a bee calendar will be also introduced so that
beekeepers start recognizing the nectar sources and separate the honey according to flowers
thus improving the quality of honey. In order for the training to be really appreciated, a
farmers’ contribution could also be demanded from every training participant. This could
be in form of bee products done at harvest time and could be turned into a training fund
for sourcing and covering required/necessary training needs thus ensuring sustainability.

5.1.2 Provision of modern bee keeping equipment

Modern beehives are preferred to the current local beehives because the former allow easy
honeybee colony management and use of a higher level technology with larger colonies
and can give higher yields and quality honey. Most importantly, improved top bar hives
have advantages over the log and other traditional hives such as: high yield in quantity,
better honey in quality, ease of inspection, preservation of colony and better harvesting
of different hive products. The relevant modern beekeeping equipment and in puts are
indicated in Table 6 below:

17
 Table 5 Immediate training requirement in Mt. Elgon
Details of Activity and Location Target Duration Budget
in $
Training, Sensitization and Demonstrating of District technical staff, Four (4) Days 1,460
components of a modern top bar hive and other hive Beekeepers and other
equipment, how it assembled and cited for colonizing for stakeholders. Actual
Swam Catchment, Manafwa, and Bududa (Two Days in Beekeepers, Start-up
Swam, one day in Bududa and one day in Manafwa) beekeepers, Extension Officers

District technical staff,

Distribution and Practical Hanging of hives for Four (4)Days 2,790
management committee
colonization and training of moving swarms into a hive,
Beekeepers and other
stationing catch boxes and other field work on hives in
stakeholders. Actual
Swam Catchment, Manafwa and Bududa. (Two Days in
Beekeepers, Start-up
Swam, one day in Bududa and one day in Manafwa)
beekeepers, Extension Officers
Establishing community managed Apiaries in each
parish and training in taking records. Beekeeper will Actual Beekeepers, Four(4) Days 2,790
take and manage these records being backstopped management committees
by the sub county technical staff and the village and sub-county and district
management committees in Swam Catchment, Manafwa staff other stakeholders.
and Bududa (Two Days in Swam, one day in Bududa Actual Beekeepers, Start-up
and one day in Manafwa) beekeepers, Extension Officers

Learning about work division within the bee colony Beekeepers, management
– role of workers, queen and drones, understanding committees and sub-county Four(4) Days 1,460
bee lifecycle and reproduction, control of swarming, and district staff , LC1, LC3
control of absconding and understanding queen-less and other stakeholders.
colonies and its implications. Training on general hive Actual Beekeepers, Start-up
management and inducing bees to produce propolis. in beekeepers, Extension Officers
Swam, Manafwa and Bududa (Two Days in Swam, one
day in Bududa and one day in Manafwa)

Hands-on training on Improved harvesting from hives, Beekeepers, management

Improved processing of honey and storage ,improved committees and sub-county Four(4) days 2,790
processing and value addition with beeswax (including and district staff , LC1, LC3
candle-making) in Swam Catchment, Manafwa and and other stakeholders.
Bududa (Two Days in Suam, one day in Bududa and Actual Beekeepers, Start-up
one day in Manafwa) beekeepers, Extension Officers
Total cost 11,290

The variation in the allocation of equipment and inputs from site to site is guided by
the area existing conditions and status in bee keeping. At the moment, there are more
beekeepers in the Swam Catchment than there are in the Manafwa Catchment. Therefore,
for purposes of creating a good demonstration and model enterprise, more hives will be
located in the Swam catchment.
Every village will have one site in the MENP where 35 households from that village will
station their beehives as a group with each household having one beehive procured by the
project. This makes a total of about 35 beehives per location and we believe this is viable and
can create a critical volume of products that will attract market at each site. Some beehives
will be stationed near homesteads to cater for people with disabilities and the elderly.

5.2 Medium term (1-3 years)

In the medium and long term, we envisage to brand and package the Mt. Elgon Ecosystem
honey and other products and also engage in an aggressive marketing as highlighted in the
respective strategies below:

18
Table: 6 Summary of equipment requirements per site
# Suggested Target and Location Requirements (Details of cost Estimated
Intervention and quantities are contained Number
in the Budget projections) Beneficiaries
Provision of top Actual Beekeepers, Start-up 280 Modern top bar hives 280 HH
1) beekeepers, in Bukwo
bar-hives

Provision of Actual Beekeepers, Start up

beekeepers, in Bukwo Smokers, Protective wear, Gloves
2) other beekeeping
Gum-boots, Hive-tools, brushes
280 HH
input

Provision of Honey presses, Packaging tanks, 280 HH

3) Actual Beekeepers, Start-up
Solar-wax extractors, honey
PROCESSING beekeepers, in Bukwo
Equipment for refractometer
honey and for
wax

Provision of top Actual Beekeepers, Start-up 120 Modern top bar hives 120HH
4) bar-hives beekeepers, Members of
Beekeeping Associations in
Bududa

5) Actual Beekeepers, Start-up Smokers, Protective wear, Gloves,
Provision of other beekeepers, Members of 120 HH
Gumboots, Hive tools, Brushes
beekeeping in-put Beekeeping Associations in
Bududa

Provision of Actual Beekeepers, Start-up Honey Press, Solar-wax 120 HH

6) extractor, Storage tanks, Honey
Processing beekeepers, Members of
Equipment Beekeeping Associations in refractometer
Bududa
Provision of top Actual Beekeepers, Start-up 100 Modern top bar hives 100 HH
7) bar-hives beekeepers, Members of
Beekeeping Associations in
Manafwa
Provision of Actual Beekeepers, Start-up Smokers, Protective wear, Gloves,
8) other beekeeping
100 HH
beekeepers, Members of Gumboots, Hive tools, Brushes
in-put Beekeeping Associations in Packaging bottles,
Manafwa
9) Provision of Actual Beekeepers, Start-up Honey Press, Solar-wax 100 HH
Processing beekeepers, Members of extractor, Storage tanks, Honey
Equipment Beekeeping Associations in refractometer
Manafwa

5.2.1 Branding
The branding of Mt. Elgon products will be undertaken in order to increase the demand
not only in the Mt Elgon region but Uganda as a whole. The Alpine zone of the Park is
suitable for a type of honey that is produced in a clean micro-environment and which is of
high quality, rich in enzymes and micro biological substances called antioxidants and its
aroma is very good. It is also good for digestion, rich in microelements and multi-vitamins.
This quality is a result of the fresh environment found in the park. There is growing
demand for such ecological products locally and internationally. This type of honey has
demand not only in the East African region but has export potential to the Middle East and
Europe where Uganda honey has already been listed. Uganda complies with the European
regulations on minimum pesticide residue content in honey that requires submission of
inspection results of conformity from areas where honey is being produced.

19
 5.2.2 Packaging
Packaging is a very important ingredient for marketing. Honey packaging requires food
grade containers. Due to the very corrosive nature of honey, good materials for honey
packaging include: food grade plastic containers, pottery, ceramics, glass and stainless
steel containers. In this initiative, farmers shall strive to use these packaging materials in
order to have high quality and competitive products in the market - locally, regionally and
internationally.

5.2.3 Marketing
For the purposes of this intervention, the marketing strategy will be to:
i. Establish direct contacts with guest-houses, hotels and supermarkets in in the Mt.
Elgon Region in Uganda and cross the border in Kenya.
ii. Use of word-of-mouth marketing strategy that is cost effective and also plays a
major role in effective expansion of the market.
iii. Carry out direct advertising through the media in order to reach and establish
contacts with the larger Kampala market or other main towns in the region.
In pursuing this marketing strategy, farmers shall target six types of buyers depending on
the capacity to supply and the capacity of buyers to buy and these are:
Local Wholesale: Local wholesale is not in full operation but, discount retail is underway
in the major grocery outlets and restaurants. Of all honey that has been marketed, less than
1% of potential demand has been met.
Local Retail: Local retail is operational and honey and other products are being sold in
local super markets and stores. In all the major towns of Uganda, honey is found in the
main supermarkets such as; Shoprite, Game, Lucky 7, Nakumatt and Tusky’s as well as
other grocery store outlets. Establishing direct contacts with guest houses, hotels and
supermarkets in in the Mt. Elgon Region in Uganda and cross the border in Kenya will
have to be undertaken.
Regional Wholesale: Honey Care Africa, a private company based in Tabora, Tanzania
has been purchasing honey from all East African countries’ local beekeepers and then
processing, packaging and selling to the major markets in Eastern and Central Africa. To
enter this market the honey from the project will be bulked to attract the attention of big
regional buyers as such Honey Care Africa.
Regional Niche Retail Buyers: A niche market is a specific type of buyer that may be
franchise based eg Peptang pure African honey or other brands that fill a particular niche
in the industry. Niche buyers are expected to be sold directly from Uganda. Honey from
the Elgon region will be natural brand and this will attract many buyers.
International Wholesale: The wholesale market sells raw honey and other products direct
to the manufacturer in that country. In this case, the honey will be sold at wholesale rates
and supplied to another for labelling under their particular brand. Honey from Mt Elgon
region will be sold bulk packaged into food grade 300 kgs drum containers.

Conclusion
Given the infancy of the industry, there is a need to apply a phased approach to
organisational strengthening, value addition and market chain development.

Recommendations
Follow the phased approach as indicated above in developing the beekeeping
industry in the Mt. Elgon Region.

20
6 Initial financial investment and projected
earnings

6.1 Initial financial investment

This section gives a summary of the initial investment for both Swam and Manafwa
Catchments (Table 7).

Table: 7 Summary of equipment requirements per site

Quantity per District Total Unit Cost Total Cost
Requirements in USD in USD
Items Bukwo Manafwa Bududa
Top bar hives standard size 280 100 120 500 39 19,500

Protective Wear 32 10 14 56 50 2,800

Gloves 32 10 14 56 9 504

Hive Tool 8 2 4 14 9 126

Smoker 8 2 4 14 14 196

Gumboots 32 10 14 56 9 504

Bee-brushes 8 2 4 14 9 126

Hive stand 280 100 120 500 10 5,000

Honey sieves 16 100 120 236 9 2,124

Honey presses 2 1 1 4 715 2,860

Airtight buckets 280 100 120 500 7 3,500

Packing bottles 2,000 1,000 1,000 4,000 0.4 1,600

Catcher boxes 30 10 10 50 21.5 1,075

Labels 2,000 1,000 1,000 4,000 0.25 1,000

Solar-Wax Extractors 2 1 1 4 142 568

Total Cost in USD 41,483

6.2 Revenue projections for the first year

With 500 hives and the accompanying equipment, the output in-terms of honey will be 15,000
kg per year if the hives are harvested twice a year. If the farm gate price is Ugshs 8,000 (USD
3) per kg then in one year this intervention will generate USD 45,000. With value addition
the bee-wax from the same harvest will be 10% of the honey volume yielding 1,500 kg priced
at Ugshs 6,000 (USD 2.4) would add another of USD 3,600 plus if each hive was induced to
produce 2 kg of propolis then 2000 kg of propolis will fetch USD 7,143. The total earnings
from this intervention would amount to approximately USD 55,743 in the first year.

21
 Glossary of terms

Apiary ���������������������������������������������������� The location of a number of colonies.

Apiculture ��������������������������������������������� The science and art of bees and beekeeping.
Apis �������������������������������������������������������� The genus to which honeybees belong.
Apis cerana ������������������������������������������� An Asian species of honeybee that can be kept inside hives.
Apis dorsata ����������������������������������������� The giant or rock honeybee, indigenous to Asia.
Apis florea ��������������������������������������������� A species of honeybee indigenous to some parts of Asia and the
Middle East. It nests in the open and cannot be kept in- side
hives.
Apis mellifera ��������������������������������������� The honeybee species indigenous to Africa, Europe and the
Middle East. European races have been widely introduced to
other areas, including the Americas, Asia, Australasia and the
Pacific. African races have been introduced to South America
and have spread to Central America and the United States.
Bark hive ����������������������������������������������� A hive made from the bark of trees.
Batik ������������������������������������������������������� A technique for producing designs on cloth by putting wax on
those parts of the cloth to be protected from dye.
Bee space ����������������������������������������������� A gap large enough for bees to walk and work in, for example,
the space between two parallel combs or between a comb and
the wall of the hive.
Beeswax ������������������������������������������������� Wax produced by honeybees, secreted by special glands on the
underside of the abdomen, and used to build comb.
Box hive ������������������������������������������������� One of the many types of hives used to keep bees.
Brood ����������������������������������������������������� All stages of immature honeybees: eggs, larvae and pupae.
Cell ��������������������������������������������������������� A single hexagonal wax compartment, the basic unit of a comb.
Each honeybee develops in a cell. Honey and pollen are stored
in cells.
Chunk honey ���������������������������������������� See cut-comb honey.
Colony ��������������������������������������������������� Honeybees are social insects; they live only as part of a colony
and not individually. Each colony of honeybees contains one
queen bee who is the female parent of the colony, a few hundred
drone bees and thousands of worker bees.
Comb ����������������������������������������������������� The wax structure made of hexagonal cells in which honey- bees
rear young and store food.
Cross-pollination ��������������������������������� The transfer of pollen between flowers of different plants of the
same species. Plants that are not self-fertilizing must be cross-
pollinated before they can develop seeds. Many crops depend
on cross-pollination by insects.
Cut-comb honey ���������������������������������� Pieces of honeycomb containing honey with the honey still in the
comb.
Diversity ����������������������������������������������� The number of plant and animal species in an area.
Drone ����������������������������������������������������� Male honeybee; drones undertake no work; their sole function is
to fertilize queen.

22
Extractor ������������������������������������������������ The centrifugal machine in which honey is spun out of cells in
frames of honeycomb.
Fair trade ����������������������������������������������� Development charities have agreed international standards of
fair trade for commodities produced in poor countries. Member
organizations cooperate in awarding fair trade marks and labels
to products that meet fair trade criteria. Issues include freedom
of association, working conditions, wage levels and use of child
labour. In addition to honey and beeswax, the products include
coffee, chocolate, orange juice, tea, sugar and bananas.
Fixed-comb hive ���������������������������������� A hive in which bees build their nests with the combs attached to
the wall of the hive. The combs cannot be detached from the hive
without breaking them.
Forage ���������������������������������������������������� Flowering plants that provide nectar and pollen for bees.
Forager ��������������������������������������������������� A worker honeybee that collects pollen, nectar, water or propolis
for the colony.
Foundation ������������������������������������������� A thin sheet of beeswax embossed with the hexagonal pat- tern
of a comb. A sheet of foundation is placed in each wood- en
frame and serves as a base on which honeybees build their comb.
This accelerates the process of comb construction. Without
foundation, honeybees would not necessarily build their comb
in the orientation required by the beekeeper.
Frame ����������������������������������������������������� A rectangular wooden frame that holds a sheet of wax
foundation. A number of frames hang parallel to one another
in- side the hive.
Frame hive �������������������������������������������� A hive that contains frames. The honeybees are encouraged to
build their combs in these frames. The frames then enable combs
to be lifted from the hive for examination, which al- lows the
recycling of combs.
Granulated honey ������������������������������� Honey in which some of the sugars have crystallized.
Hive �������������������������������������������������������� Any container provided by people within which bees can build
their nest.
Honey ���������������������������������������������������� Nectar or plant sap ingested by bees, concentrated by them and
stored in combs.
Honey hunting ������������������������������������� Plundering wild bee colonies for their honey.
Honeybees �������������������������������������������� Species of bees belonging to the genus Apis. All are social bees
that store significant quantities of honey.
Livelihood ��������������������������������������������� Away of making a living.
Local hive ���������������������������������������������� A hive made from local materials; often a fixed-comb hive.
Lost-wax casting ���������������������������������� A technique for making an object by casting it in molten met- al.
The model is created in wax then covered with a shell of clay.
The wax model and its clay coat are then fired to hard- en the
clay and melt the wax. The wax is then poured out and replaced
by molten metal.
Low-tech hive �������������������������������������� A hive that is simple, cheap, reliable and repairable.
Meliponinae ����������������������������������������� The subfamily to which all stingless bees belong.
Movable-frame hive ��������������������������� A hive containing frames.
Nectar ����������������������������������������������������� A sweet liquid secreted by flowers. It is a watery solution of
various sugars.

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 Nest �������������������������������������������������������� The home of a bee colony where bees live on their comb or
combs.
Nucleus ������������������������������������������������� A small colony of bees created by a beekeeper from an existing
colony or colonies; it is used to increase colony numbers or to
rear queens and breed bees.
Organic honey �������������������������������������� Generally taken to mean honey that is free from any residues of
pesticides, fertilizers, drug treatments or heavy metals.
Pollen ����������������������������������������������������� The fine dust-like substances that are the male reproductive cells
of flowering plants. Collected by bees as a food source.
Pollination �������������������������������������������� The transfer of pollen from the anther of a flower to the stigma of
the flower, or the stigma of another flower.
Pollination agent ��������������������������������� Bees act as pollination agents when they transfer pollen from
one flower to another. Apart from insects, other agents that
may bring about the transfer of pollen are wind, gravity, nectar-
seeking birds and bats.
Propolis ������������������������������������������������� Plant resins collected by honeybees and used by them to seal
cracks and gaps in the hive.
Protective clothing ������������������������������ Clothing to protect beekeepers from being stung by bees.
Queen ���������������������������������������������������� The female parent of the colony; the only sexually developed
female.
Refractometer ��������������������������������������� An instrument used to measure the refractive index of honey,
and from which sugar concentration and water content can be
calculated.
Sustainable development ������������������ Development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs - as defined by the Rio Declaration on Environment
and Development at the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit.
Sustainable livelihoods approach ��� A way of thinking about objectives, scope and priorities for
development; an approach to understanding the nature of
poverty and to implementing and assessing poverty-reduction
interventions.
Top bar �������������������������������������������������� A piece of wood on which honeybees build their comb in a top-
bar hive.
Top-bar hive ����������������������������������������� A hive containing top bars. Honeybees build parallel combs
suspended from a series of parallel top bars; this enables the
beekeeper to lift individual combs from the hive for inspection
or to harvest honey, as with frame hives.
Traditional hive ����������������������������������� This usually means a hive made according to local tradition.
Most traditional hives are fixed-comb hives.
UWA ������������������������������������������������������� Uganda Wild-life Authority an autonomous organization in
charge of the National Parks

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INTERNATIONAL UNION
FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

Uganda Office
Plot 39, Babiiha Avenue
P.O.Box 10950, Kampala
Tel. +256-414-233738/344508
Mobile +256-772-457164
Fax. +256-414-342298
https://www.iucn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/esaro/