State Minister for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Bright Rwamirama has announced a sweeping government initiative to protect pollinators and scale up honey production as Uganda formally commemorates World Bee Day for the first time.
Speaking ahead of the national observance, Minister Rwamirama said the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) is prioritizing bee conservation and apiculture development under a new campaign dubbed “Save the Bees Uganda.” The initiative marks a significant policy shift aimed at addressing pollinator decline and unlocking the economic potential of the honey sector.
“With agriculture as the backbone of our economy, bees silently contribute to improved crop yields and income generation,” Rwamirama said. “Recognizing pollination services as the number one agro-input is no longer symbolic — it is a strategic imperative for sustainable agricultural growth.”
This year’s global theme, “Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All,” emphasizes the vital role of bees in food production, with more than 75% of global crops dependent on pollinators. The minister warned that habitat loss, pesticide misuse, climate change, and urbanization are threatening pollinators and putting national food security at risk.
In response, the Save the Bees Uganda campaign, launched in partnership with private sector stakeholders like Green Cane Innovations Limited, focuses on awareness, bee rescue, hive modernization, and developing honey markets under the slogan “No Bees, No Food, No Future.”
Rwamirama outlined several strategic actions MAAIF is implementing, including the distribution of bee colonies and melliferous plant seeds, establishment of pest and disease monitoring systems, and provision of modern beekeeping tools. Youth, schools, and farming communities will benefit from scaled-up training and public education campaigns.
The minister also highlighted the untapped potential of Uganda’s apiculture sector. With an estimated 16 million bee hives and a global rise in honey demand, Rwamirama called the sector “a low-cost, high-impact entry point into agribusiness for youth, women, and smallholder farmers.”
To commercialize honey production, MAAIF is partnering with The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organisation (TUNADO) and supporting farmer groups with protective gear, processing equipment, and extension services. The goal, the minister said, is to create an “export-ready value chain” comparable to Uganda’s coffee industry.
Rwamirama noted ongoing discussions with the UAE Embassy and other foreign missions to secure export markets in the Middle East.
“We want Ugandan honey to stand on the same global footing as our coffee — or even beyond,” he said.
He also urged farmers to adopt pollinator-friendly practices and called on the public to support beekeepers and conservation efforts.
“The bee on our national emblem is more than a symbol — it is a reminder that bees are a national asset for wealth creation,” he said.
As Patron of the Save the Bees Uganda campaign, Rwamirama pledged to champion pollinator protection at local and international levels.
“The future of our food systems, ecosystems, and national prosperity depends on the choices we make today,” he said. “Let us be truly inspired by nature and act now.”
