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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201cSave the Bees Uganda.\u201d The initiative marks a significant policy shift aimed at addressing pollinator decline and unlocking the economic potential of the honey sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith agriculture as the backbone of our economy, bees silently contribute to improved crop yields and income generation,\u201d Rwamirama said. \u201cRecognizing pollination services as the number one agro-input is no longer symbolic \u2014 it is a strategic imperative for sustainable agricultural growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s global theme, \u201cBee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201cNo Bees, No Food, No Future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister also highlighted the untapped potential of Uganda\u2019s apiculture sector. With an estimated 16 million bee hives and a global rise in honey demand, Rwamirama called the sector \u201ca low-cost, high-impact entry point into agribusiness for youth, women, and smallholder farmers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201cexport-ready value chain\u201d comparable to Uganda\u2019s coffee industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rwamirama noted ongoing discussions with the UAE Embassy and other foreign missions to secure export markets in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want Ugandan honey to stand on the same global footing as our coffee \u2014 or even beyond,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also urged farmers to adopt pollinator-friendly practices and called on the public to support beekeepers and conservation efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe bee on our national emblem is more than a symbol \u2014 it is a reminder that bees are a national asset for wealth creation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Patron of the Save the Bees Uganda campaign, Rwamirama pledged to champion pollinator protection at local and international levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe future of our food systems, ecosystems, and national prosperity depends on the choices we make today,\u201d he said. \u201cLet us be truly inspired by nature and act now.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2270,"featured_media":39702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_paywall_metabox":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2064,31,119],"class_list":["post-39701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-bright-rwamirama","tag-featured","tag-uganda-news"],"yoast_head":"\n