Okwee-Acai J., Anyanzo T.A., Aroba J., Vuchiri J.K., Onzivua T., Okullo P.
Department of Veterinary Surgery and production, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda; National Agricultural Advisory Services, Coordinating Office, P.O Box 1, Moyo, Uganda; Production Department, Moyo District Local Government, P. O Box 1, Moyo, Uganda; Department of entomology, Koboko District Local Government, Uganda; National Forest Resources Research Institute (NAFORI), P. O Box 1752, Kampala, Uganda
Okwee-Acai, J., Department of Veterinary Surgery and production, Makerere University, P. O Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda; Anyanzo, T.A., National Agricultural Advisory Services, Coordinating Office, P.O Box 1, Moyo, Uganda; Aroba, J., Production Department, Moyo District Local Government, P. O Box 1, Moyo, Uganda; Vuchiri, J.K., Production Department, Moyo District Local Government, P. O Box 1, Moyo, Uganda; Onzivua, T., Department of entomology, Koboko District Local Government, Uganda; Okullo, P., National Forest Resources Research Institute (NAFORI), P. O Box 1752, Kampala, Uganda
The north-west agro-ecological zone of Uganda, also known as the West-Nile region produces up to three-quarters of honey in Uganda. However, beekeeping in this region is still based on traditional technologies and practices and characterised by alarmingly low colonisation and high absconding rates. Using field experiments, we investigated the effects of modern apiary management practices on colonisation and colony performance of the African honey bee (Apis mellifera). Six experimental sites were set in the West-Nile districts of Moyo, Koboko and Yumbe. At each experimental site, 18 log and 18 Kenya Top Bar (KTB) hives were sited. Half of each hive type was sited at waist height and half high up on tall trees. A third of each hive type was baited with natural hive sealant or bee glue (propolis), beeswax or cassava flour respectively. Management practices were introduced three months after hive siting. Colonisation was significantly (χ2 = 38.20) higher in hives placed high on trees than those placed at standard waist height. KTB hives were better (χ2 = 30.06) colonised than log hives. Propolis baited hives were better (χ2 = 62.08) colonised than wax or cassava baited ones. Colonisation significantly (χ2 = 39.19) improved in experimental sites where routine management practices were instituted compared to sites with no management. Most (73%) that were categorised as strong were in sites where routine management was instituted. We conclude that, wide adoption and application of modern beekeeping practices could tremendously improve colony performance and apiculture production in the west-Nile region.