Bee-keeping, how to make the most of it

______________________

Even though some people want to rear bees, it is not that easy, as they might fear their ferocious sting. While speaking during the 2025 Vision Group’s Harvest Money Expo training at Namboole Stadium, Stephen Kunihira, the Managing Director of Mr Bees Africa said even though rearing bees is complicated, it gets easier with time.

Kunihira, also the chairperson of the Source of the Nile Beekeepers Consortium Association, revealed that if you want to engage in bee-keeping, there is not a single way of doing it.

“You have to continuously learn from the bees and other farmers,” he says.

In the beginning, a person can use protection, but after some time, Kunihira says they get used to the bees and are not afraid of them. 

(Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

“The number one cause of bees’ sting is fear. But, if you show you are brave, the bees will not sting you,” Kunihira observed.

Besides that, Kunihira says wearing perfumes and going to the apiary while eating bananas can cause bees to sting you. He advises prospective farmers to visit the apiary when clean so as to avoid being stung. On the other hand, a person can get protective gear and go into the apiary safely.

Vision Group Editor In Chief, Barbra Kaija participating during the session. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Moses Angel Kuteesa from Bees Farmer’s Crib, who were also exhibiting at the expo, explained how people can engage in bee-keeping through backyard farming. This is where one uses an average residential space to keep bees. This can be in a town/urban or rural setting where there is limited space.

(Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

(Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

(Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Why backyard bee-keeping?     

Kuteesa says bees take little space and less supervision, yet you can harvest twice a year. Also, this is the safest way to consume fresh and pure honey harvested from their own home. Instead of buying sugar and cough syrups, Kuteesa says honey can be a replacement for all sweetening needs, thus saving money. Backyard farming can offer practical beekeeping skills that you and your family can have for the rest of your lives, thus earning you a steady income for generations. Moreover, backyard bee-farming requires less capital and does not require a lot of effort to sustain to sustain it. That is why Kuteesa advocates for it.

The expo was organized under the theme, Farming as a business, Value Addition and Cooperatives and was sponsored by ENGSOL, ABI, Bella Wine, Uganda Development Cooperation, Tunga Nutrition, and Pepsi in partnership with the Kingdom of Netherlands.