Dokolo farmers receive 400 beehives, other equipment to boost apiary farming
DOKOLO, May 20, 2026 — At least two farmers’ groups in Dokolo district have received 400 beehives and other apiary equipment under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project [UCSATP] to boost production and household incomes.
The UCSATP aims to increase productivity, market access and resilience within selected value chains in the project area, while also responding promptly and effectively to eligible crises or emergencies.
Under the World Bank-funded project, farmers contribute 20 per cent of the co-funding, while the Government of Uganda provides the remaining 80 per cent to purchase the equipment.
The beneficiary groups are Mar-en-gen Beekeeping Group and Akut-badi-en-Papi Beekeeping Group, both based in Dokolo district. Other equipment received includes gumboots, overalls and buckets.
Each farmers’ group will receive 200 beehives and share the remaining apiary equipment equally.
While addressing farmers at Agwayo Village in Abenyo Parish, Dokolo Sub-county, the Dokolo District Production and Marketing Officer, Dr Richard Enyang, expressed gratitude to the Government for selecting Dokolo to benefit from the project, saying it would help farmers increase production.
“I want to thank the Government of Uganda and, in a special way, MAAIF for selecting Dokolo to be part of the project. This initiative is aimed at increasing production and improving quality so that farmers can access better markets,” Enyang said.
He noted that the increase in the number of beehives would significantly raise honey production in the district and urged farmers to remain committed, assuring them of continued technical support.
“We previously had only 300,000 local beehives, but with the additional hives received by these groups, production will greatly increase. Remain committed, love your work and use this equipment well to lift yourselves out of poverty. We shall give you all the necessary support,” he added.
According to Dr Patrick Opondo, the Dokolo District Focal Point Person for the project and the district veterinary officer, a total of 232 farmers’ groups in Dokolo District will benefit from the initiative.
Opondo said the project includes components such as beekeeping, aquaculture and other agricultural enterprises that are expected to benefit more than 3,000 people across the district.
“Under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project, Dokolo district will benefit about 232 farmer groups. These include 45 groups for beekeeping, 10 for black soldier fly farming, 120 for soya beans, mangoes and citrus fruits, 30 for beef production, and 27 for fisheries, of which 12 are for capture fisheries and 15 for aquaculture,” Opondo said.
He added that Dokolo district was the first in Uganda to benefit from the project and said authorities would closely monitor the outcomes.
Opondo urged farmers to work closely with extension workers, saying technical officers would always be available to provide guidance to ensure high productivity.
“These two groups are the first beneficiaries under the insect component in Dokolo, Lango and Uganda as a whole, which shows their commitment. What we shall be looking at is the output. We have technical officers at both sub-county and district level, and farmers should make use of them to ensure the beehives are properly colonised, protected from pests and producing quality honey,” he said.
He further advised the farmers to use the equipment responsibly, saying it would transform their livelihoods.
“Use this equipment well to improve your lives and the wider community. If we work hard together as members and as Dokolo district, we shall achieve greater harvests,” he added.
Members of the farmers’ groups expressed gratitude to the Government and district leadership, saying the support would help them earn more income to meet their families’ basic needs.
A member of Mar-en-gen Beekeeping Group, Cons Okabo Opio, appreciated the Government for supporting them with the equipment, saying it would improve their livelihoods.
“We want to thank the Government for coming down to the community and helping us fight poverty. This beekeeping project will bring money into our pockets, enabling us to buy food, pay medical bills and meet school fees for our children,” Opio said.
Beatrice Acup, the group’s treasurer, said members had struggled for years to acquire the equipment and were grateful for the support.
“We are happy about the new beekeeping equipment we have received today. We have struggled for so long to acquire such equipment. I pray God grants us good health so that we can put it to good use,” Acup said.
Daniel Ogwal, Chairperson of Akut-badi-en-Papi Beekeeping Group, said members had cooperated fully to raise the required 20 per cent co-funding contribution.
“I informed my 18 group members about the Climate Smart project and they became interested. Each member contributed Shs 374,400, bringing our total co-funding contribution to Shs 6,579,200,” Ogwal said.
He added that he would ensure all equipment was used for its intended purpose and not sold off.
“I will continue monitoring members to ensure the beehives and other equipment are properly used. I have already warned them against selling the bee suits, gumboots and other items provided by the Government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Stella Angwec, a member of Akut-badi-en-Papi Beekeeping Group, said the additional beehives would help her earn more income and improve her family’s welfare.
“The new equipment will help me address family challenges such as paying school fees and building a permanent house. Beekeeping is centred on honey and income. Previously, I had only four beehives which already earned me money, and now with 10 more beehives, my honey production and earnings will increase,” Angwec said.
The Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project is intended to support the Government of Uganda in identifying, developing and promoting climate-smart agricultural technologies and management practices that enhance productivity, household incomes and resilience to climate shocks.
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