Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers Union

Vincent Hakizmana, Kigali, Rwanda

Before 1994 beekeeping was carried out inside the Nyungwe National Park (NNP) in southwest Rwanda, the country’s largest and most biodiverse national protected area. NNP is home to 1,323 plant species with 218 endemic to the Albertine Rift. There are more than 200 different tree species. Eighty-five mammals, 278 birds, 32 amphibians, and 38 reptile species have been recorded of which 97 species are endemic. NNP contains also 13 species of primate, including the eastern chimpanzee Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, which along with the well-developed trail system and Park infrastructure, offer important tourist attractions and sources of revenue.

In addition to its biodiversity value, NNP provides vital ecological services, via water catchments and stabilisation of soil erosion. NNP is the watershed for over 60% of Rwanda with its streams feeding into both the Congo and Nile basins. It thus protects a major watershed for surrounding communities and also for those much further downstream. Population densities around Nyungwe are among the highest in Africa (250-500/km²). The forest’s moderating effects result in longer periods of rain each year, supporting a relatively high degree of agricultural production including local farms as well as larger scale production – coffee and tea plantations. As such, it supports the national economy, provides an important source of water and hydroelectricity, and regulates regional climate conditions.

Containers of Ubuzima cerate - skin lotion made by the Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers Union

© Photo Vincent Hakizmana

This is the conservation value of the area (Key Biodiversity Area) where beekeeping was practised without any consideration of its biodiversity. Beekeepers were considered to be the people who damaged NNP. From 1994 beekeepers were organised into associations or co-operatives and sensitised into how beekeeping can be a revenue generating activity for farmers. Training was provided along with some equipment.

*The original article has a table showing revenue generated by bee products other than honey made by Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers’ Union which is not available on this mobile friendly version

In 2010, 15 beekeepers’ co-operatives were registered at national level within the umbrella group Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers Union. Today, the Union is the main buyer and seller of bee products in Rwanda on behalf of the co-operatives. Much progress has been made in beekeeping techniques and my own beekeeping skills because of my parent’s heritage and also the information provided in Bees for Development Journal. This has helped the Union diversify into preparing other beeswax products: lip balm and skin lotion, candles, and processing pure beeswax.

Harvesting honey from frame hives

Beautiful beeswax

Training is offered to farmers by Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers Union

Women beekeepers inspect their colony in a top-bar hive

On behalf of beekeepers of the Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers Union thank you very much Bees for Development for helping us:

• To diversify bee products prepared through skills acquired and to initiate the promotion of top-bar hives for women and young people (BfD Journal 118, March 2016, pages 3-5 and 12-13).

• To encourage the young beekeepers’ generation.

• To help us to improve the livelihood of the community surrounding Nyungwe through using bee products made from wax considered as waste 20 years ago.

• To increase our beekeeping skills using the training cards and booklets provided.

• To continue conserving and protecting NNP Biodiversity through changing the mind-set, practising good beekeeping and being involved in its management.

• To promote environmental education and outreach programmes in primary and secondary schools surrounding NNP.

• The community surrounding NNP are requesting support to share experiences with others and learn from your experiences.

Vincent Hakizimana is from Rutsiro District, Western Province, Rwanda. He started beekeeping when he was eight years old. He has a BSc from the National University of Rwanda. In job creation, he has an apiary at Arboretum Ruhande with 86 hives and works with the students of animal production in the University Faculty of Agriculture. He is a field co-ordinator supporting beekeeping-related research with students from Rwanda, University of Virginia (USA), Trinity College (Ireland and in The Netherlands). He works with Rwandan beekeepers in training activities and in establishing beekeeper cooperatives and the Beekeepers‘ Union around NNP. He helped the NNP Beekeepers Union to win the Golden Medal in 2011 and the Best Producer Organisation and Overall Best Winner in 2016 (ApiExpoAfrica); and the Best Food Processor at Made In Rwanda 2018. He has worked with many different institutions and NGOs, and can be contacted through Bees for Development.