When Mbambu Janet and her husband Pedson Matte started beekeeping in 2022, they had only five local hives placed in the bush. They decided to venture into apiary after receiving guidance on green businesses that require less capital, less labour, and are environmentally friendly. Their first harvest was small, but it gave them confidence. They sold 20 kilograms of honey to Bunyangabu Beekeepers’ Cooperative (BBC) and used the proceeds to improve their hives. Later, they got an opportunity to train at BBC for six months, learning modern hive making, honey harvesting, and apiary management.

By the time Janet joined the WeWork – Green and Decent Jobs for Youth project, implemented by Enabel in partnership with Ile de Paix and The Association of Rwenzori Community (RCA), with funding from the European Union and the Government of Belgium, they had 14 hives. After attending a five‑day bootcamp in Fort Portal, they learnt about marketing, business planning, and record keeping, skills that they have since implemented in their operations.

Project field officers also made follow‑up visits to check on their progress, while Ile de Paix carried out assessments during mentorship sessions to identify youth with strong potential to grow their businesses. Those selected received micro‑grants, with the evaluation and selection process conducted by an independent firm to ensure transparency.

Fortunately for Janet, she was among the 22 project participants who received a UGX 1,000,000 (€239) micro-grant. In addition, she received six local hives and an airtight honey bucket as a start-up kit. With the mmicro-grant, the family bought 20 modernized bamboo hives and 10 Kenya Top Bar (KTB) hives These are semi-modern beehives, with a simple trough-like design with a row of wooden bars along the top where bees build their honeycombs naturally.

Today, the couple has 57 hives spread across three apiaries, and their target is 100 hives by the end of 2026.

“We want to keep growing and even establish another apiary in Kasese,” Janet says.

They now sell honey to BBC and Bulalo Foundation. By selling through a youth group, they earn UGX 12,000(€3) per kilogram instead of the lower individual price of UGX10,000 (€2) per kilogram. 

Janet says that beekeeping has become an important source of income for their household, complementing their coffee farming. With the earnings from both activities, she and her husband are able to provide comfortably for their five children and plan for a more secure future.

“Bee keeping is seasonal, so we also grow coffee. The training taught us the importance of diversification,” she says.

They continue saving through a village savings group and are preparing for future expansion as their apiary business grows.

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