By Patrick Okino
A Dutch beekeeping organization has expressed willingness to train beekeepers in northern Uganda to improve honey production, storage and quality to meet international market standards.
Annemieke Timmerman, a Dutch beekeeping specialist and expert volunteer with PUM, a Netherlands-based non-profit organization, held a series of engagements with beekeepers in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions to identify challenges affecting organic honey production.
Timmerman arrived in Uganda on August 8, 2026, following an invitation by the Greater North Beekeeping Center. She visited Lira, Alebtong, Kitgum, Lira City, Lamwo, Gulu and Kaberamaido, where she met beekeepers and assessed the challenges they face.
Under the guidance of William Ocen, the executive director of Greater North Beekeeping Center, Timmerman also formed beekeeping clubs in schools, including Agali Seed Secondary School and Abongorwot Primary School.
Timmerman said PUM exports knowledge and skills in beekeeping around the world and connects experienced experts with entrepreneurs in developing countries to promote sustainable business growth.
She said she would train beekeepers in the region on improving yields, developing business plans and using specialised techniques for harvesting honey and other bee products.
“In Uganda, as far as beekeeping is concerned, there are still challenges, including storage, production, especially during harvest, poor quality, lack of transportation to markets and difficulties in reaching farmers,” she said.
Timmerman said beekeepers could also generate income from other bee products, including beeswax, bee venom and propolis, but need training on how to process and market them.
She said the quickest way to address quality concerns and enable Ugandan honey to meet international market standards is to train processors on the required standards and discourage the use of chemicals in bee products.
Timmerman added that honey consumption is high in the Netherlands, where more people are increasingly using it as an alternative to sugar.
“People prefer using honey because it is healthier than sugar,” she said.
Ocen said the decision to bring in the Dutch expert was aimed at helping farmers produce high-quality, organic honey, access better markets and understand the requirements for exporting honey to international markets.
“We are grateful because she has accepted to come and train our members and guide them on what to do to hit the international market,” Ocen said.
He said the Greater North Beekeeping Center currently has about 200 members but plans to expand its membership to 2,000.