By Zoomer Africa Editorial

Lions Clubs International District 104B Norway, through Lions Aid Norway and local implementing partner Spice of Life Uganda (NGO), has commissioned a modern apiary and horticulture demonstration site at St. Aloysius College Nyapea in a project valued at over UGX 342 million.

The initiative, facilitated by the Lions Club of Nyapea (predominantly former students of the college), targets 520 learners, 38 teaching and non-teaching staff, and over 5,000 surrounding community members in Mission Centre Village, Oyeyo Parish, Nyapea Sub-County, Zombo District.

“For years, we’ve struggled to provide our students with practical skills in agriculture. This project will not only enhance our curriculum but also provide our students with a viable source of income. A lot of money has been sunk there by the donors; we count ourselves lucky because we got in touch with such donors. We are the only school in Zombo district to have such a project that teaches hands on skills,” said Brother Paul Nantinda, Headteacher, St. Aloysius College Nyapea.

Learners of Nyapea college and Nyapea girls primary at the green house.

The four-year phased intervention includes site clearance, drilling of a production well, solar-powered drip irrigation, greenhouse establishment, open-field farming, and now the launch of a commercial apiary.

Future phases will incorporate zero-grazing dairy, staple crop cultivation, micro-climate management, and fruit orchards to serve as a model for climate-smart agriculture and income-generating activities.

Edward Jawiambe, President of Lions Club of Nyapea, explained: “This is a four-year project that will be enrolled in phases. Phase one included site clearance, drilling of a production well, establishment of a solar powered drip irrigation system, setting up a greenhouse and start of open field farming. The launch of the apiary marks the start of the second phase. We’re hoping to establish a strong beekeeping club and encourage more students to get involved in sustainable agriculture.”

In the last 12 months, Lions Aid Norway has additionally facilitated drilling of five boreholes (UGX 125 million) serving five communities in Zombo District and provided Nyapea Girls Primary School with 50 desks and an eight-stance VIP latrine as part of gender-responsive WASH programming.

Senior Five learner Greenfield Pirwoth stated: “I’m so excited to learn about beekeeping and how to produce honey. I want to start my own beekeeping business and sell the honey to local markets. It will help me pay for my education and support my basic needs so that I don’t over rely on my parents.”

Senior Three student Honest Mugisa added: “The greenhouse will make me learn how to plant different crops on the same piece of land separating it into plots. This project is giving me the opportunity to learn new skills and apply them in a practical way. I’m also excited to see how beekeeping can help me improve my family’s livelihood.”

David Mutayisa, Country Director, Spice of Life Uganda, noted: “The apiary project is a great example of how sustainable agriculture can improve food security and income for families.”

Joseph Male a trainer with spice of life teaching learners on how to plant seedlings.

Joseph Male, Executive Director of The Avail Group (technical partner), highlighted value-addition components: “This project will not only focus on honey production but several other products like bee wax, bee venom, propolis and bee wine amongst others through value addition.”

Total investment by Spice of Life Uganda and partners in the college and surrounding interventions exceeds UGX 500 million.

Similar ongoing projects include the Eruba Agriculture Centre of Excellence (Arua), demonstration gardens at Anyiribu Primary School (Madi-Okollo) and Arua Regional Remand Home, plus 30 community boreholes across West Nile.

The Nyapea apiary and horticulture project is expected to create a ripple effect, equipping learners with entrepreneurial skills in beekeeping and sustainable farming while serving as a community training hub for improved livelihoods and resilience.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information hub