Uganda joined the rest of the world to mark World Bee Day with a national event held at the National Agricultural Research Laboratories in Kawanda, Wakiso District, where government officials, scientists, farmers and beekeepers gathered to highlight the urgent need to protect bees and other pollinators critical to food security.
This year’s celebration, under the theme, “Bees Inspired by Nature to Nourish,” focused on the role of bees in sustaining ecosystems and boosting agricultural productivity.
Discussions ranged from habitat loss and pesticide use to the effects of climate change on pollinator populations.
State Minister for Animal Husbandry Bright Rwamirama called for collective responsibility in safeguarding the insects that pollinate much of Uganda’s food.
“Bees are a vital part of our ecosystem, and their importance cannot be overstated,” he said, urging farmers and policymakers to embrace bee-friendly practices.
The event served as a platform to share research, promote sustainable beekeeping, and engage local communities on actions to reverse pollinator decline.
Researchers from the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) presented data linking healthy pollinator populations to increased crop yields, particularly in fruits, vegetables and oilseeds.
World Bee Day was established by the United Nations in 2017 following a proposal by Slovenia.
It is observed every 20 May in honour of Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping.
peakers at the Kawanda gathering emphasised that pollinators are facing mounting threats from deforestation, monoculture farming, and indiscriminate pesticide use.
With Uganda’s agriculture heavily reliant on smallholder farmers, many of whom depend on pollinator-sensitive crops, the decline of bees could have far-reaching effects.
“We must work together to ensure the health and well-being of these vital pollinators,” Minister Rwamirama said.
As the event concluded, participants resolved to push for more public education, policy support, and research investment in pollinator protection—warning that the survival of bees could determine the resilience of the nation’s food systems.