By Ismail Bategeka
MASINDI: Uganda Wildlife Authority {UWA} has finally allowed thirty four members of Tweyombeke Agro-conservation group in Labongo sub county Masindi district to set up a bee keeping project along the boundaries of Murchison falls national park. The okay-ed areas are of Kigaragara village in Labong sub county to Kituuka two village in Pakanyi sub county.
Rubangakeni Godfrey the Wildlife Assistant Warder in-charge of Masindi sector told UG Reports that they have allowed the members to operate the bee hive project along the boundaries of Murchison Falls National Park
”And failure to observe the wild life act, we shall automatically come in and close the project because we all need to protect and conserve the wildlife for future generation,” he told UG Reports.
The warder also noted that the bee keeping project will improve the live-hood of people neighboring the national park though improving the household income.
The memorandum of understanding between Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Tweyombeke Agro-conservation group was signed in the presence of Buruli area Member of Parliament Hon. Aled Ronald Akugizibwe, Fred Kirya the Labongo sub county chairperson, and Rubangakene Godfrey the wildlife assistant warder in-charge of Masindi sector.
According to Rubangaken, allowing the local community establish bee keeping along the park boundaries is further part of the resource sharing between Uganda wildlife
Rubangakene notes that they share the resources with Uganda Wildlife Authority and the community of Labongo sub county, and Masindi and they are mitigating human wildlife conflict.
David Byaruhanga the chairperson Tweyombeke Agro-conservation group told UG Reports that they will have 200 beehives along Kigaragara village in Labong sub county up to Kituuka two village in Pakanyi sub county.
”We shall have 200 bee hives along the boundaries of the national park and we shall be training members of the community on how to enhance bee hive business in Masindi district,” Byaruhanga noted.
According to Lawrence Tusiime the Masindi Entomology Officer who works with over 10 bee keepeing groups across the district, Masindi as a whole produces 15 tonnes of honey per year.
He also says the district has supported some of the farmer groups with value addition equipment such as honey processing tanks, packing jars and wax processing machines, in addition to advisory services.
