The economic potential of bees is enormous. Uganda’s apiculture sector contributes about USD 537 million annually—roughly 1% of national GDP. The domestic honey market alone is worth USD 367 million, while exports are valued at USD 170 million per year. Uganda has over 16 million beehives and 1.2 million beekeepers, generating more than 1.5 million jobs, particularly for women and youth. And yet, over 97,000 metric tonnes of honey go unharvested annually due to lack of equipment, training, and market access.

Beyond honey, bees provide raw materials for industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food processing—from beeswax in skincare, to propolis and bee venom in medicine. Most importantly, they secure biodiversity, forest regeneration, and climate resilience.

The Save the Bees Uganda campaign—led by Green Cane Innovations Ltd in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)—is both a conservation movement and a transformation strategy. Its goal is to protect pollinators, professionalize beekeeping, and unlock Uganda’s place in premium global honey markets, particularly in the Middle East.