In the rural district of Ntoroko, Uganda, groups of young beekeepers found an unexpected way to protect their health—by saving through honey production. What began as a small business in 2017 has grown into a lifeline for medical emergencies.

The Nombe Beekeepers Group, in Nombe sub-county, Ntoroko district, was started after Mutalinga George, the group chairperson, completed a 3 months training in beekeeping from Bunyangabu Beekeepers Cooperative. “After completing the training, I trained 6 more youth in beekeeping to start the group together”, said George. Now with 28 members (13 men and 15 women), the group has trained 150 youth in beekeeping. They supply honey, wax, and propolis while managing 111 beehives to support the growing local market.  

Inspired by the training conducted by Kyakima Hopeman, a Village Health Team member trained by Enabel, 12 members of the group took the first step toward financial security by saving money specifically for medical emergencies. Today, the number of group members saving for health has grown to 22 members (13 women and 9 men), who are now actively contributing to the health emergency fund every week.

Each member deposits 1,000 UGX into the fund every week, an amount that, while modest, has already accumulated to an impressive 808,000 UGX. “Last month, one member was able to access 200,000 UGX for urgent medical care, and successfully repaid the loan”, said George, the group chairperson.

With government health centres often facing drug shortages, overcrowding at health centers, and high costs of referrals, the members of Nombe Beekeepers Savings and Loans Association can afford to access facilities timely and buy medicine in case they can not find them at the public facilities. Mutalinga George, the group’s chairperson, said that saving for health shields members from financial shocks and ensures they get the care they need when they are sick.

To boost their sources of income, the group plans to expand their income-generating activities beyond beekeeping and savings, venturing into poultry farming and brickmaking. They intend to grow their health savings fund and provide even more support for their members. Additionally, they aim to double their weekly health savings contribution from 1,000 UGX to 2,000 UGX per member.

At their next annual general meeting, they plan to make saving for health a compulsory weekly contribution, ensuring that every current and future member participates in saving for health.

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