A region of Uganda once known for violence and conflict is today being reshaped as the country\u2019s \u2018home of honey,\u2019 and Self Help Africa is playing an important part.<\/p>\n
A newly-launched project is set to build on Karamoja\u2019s buzzing potential, to create employment and income opportunities for more than 2,000 young people across this part of Uganda\u2019s north-east region, over the next four year.<\/p>\n
\u2018MORE-Honey\u2019 (Market Oriented Rural Enterprise) will support the production, processing and sale of honey and beeswax. The project will also increase the hive productivity of an additional 2,000 honey-producing farmers living in the area.<\/p>\n
MORE-Honey is being co-funded by the Danish Development Agency DANIDA and Irish Aid. The project will be implemented by Self Help Africa alongside local and international partners, Golden Bees Limited<\/a> of Kampala, Denmark\u2019s Swienty Commodities ApS<\/a> and German natural cosmetics manufacturers KahlWax<\/a>.<\/p>\n At a recent launch, State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Moses Kizige spoke of the distinct taste, nutritional and medicinal value of Karamoja honey. He also highlighted the huge potential of honey production for assisting local people to move from aid dependency to self-sufficiency. \u201cIt is honey of a quality to match anything found in the world.”<\/p>\n Self Help Africa\u2019s Uganda Country Director Engorok Obin pledged that Self Help Africa and partners would do everything they can to support and help farmers in the region, not only in order to increase incomes, but also to support the development of an equitable and profitable value chain for honey production in one of Uganda\u2019s poorest regions.<\/p>\n For decades, Karamoja was a centre of tribal conflict and ethnic violence. During the 1980s, the region was occupied by Uganda\u2019s notorious warlord, Joseph Kony\u2019s Lord\u2019s Resistance Army.<\/p>\n Keep up-to-date on MORE-Honey and our other work around Africa \u2013 sign up for our emails here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Check out the video below to learn more about beekeeping and honey production in Uganda:<\/p>\n