1. INTRODUCTION ASHORT PRESENTATION ON UGANDA BEEKEEPERS COOPERATIVE UNION LIMITTED. PRESENTED AT COOPAFRICA WORKSHOP ON TRANSPORT. VENUE: CITY ROYAL HOTEL, KAMPALA. DATE: 22 nd -24 th NOVEMBER 2011. PRESENTER: MAGEZI ELIEZER – UNION MANAGER CONTACT: 0772-385492/ O7O2-385492/0751-385492. OFFICE CONTACT: 256- 01414599424.

2. BACKGROUND Uganda Beekeepers cooperative Union ltd was started in 2009 by Area Cooperative Enterprises (ACE’s) that are registered with Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA) and have beekeeping as one of the enterprises they are promoting. The union is fully registered as a cooperative and is one of the many National Specific union enterprises being supported by UCA among these unions are; fish, grains, horticulture, and irrigation. The said unions have office in Bweyogerere –Kampala at MK House, Floor 3, room 3f2.

3. SERVICES PROVIDED BY UGANDA BEEKEEPERS COOPERATIVE UNION  Organizing beekeepers into Rural Producer Organization [RPO] and then form ACEs.  To organize and train the farmers on bulking as a way of maximizing their benefit.  To assist the farmers in quality and standardization of their produce to meet both local and international market standards/ requirements.  Lobbying and Advocacy for support and conducive operational environment.  Promotion of value addition in the apiculture/cooperative sector.  Etc

4. PROVISION OF TRANSPORT SERVICES BY THE UNION; At the moment, the union has not yet started providing those services although by virtual of its operations, it is supposed to; for instance in bulking of farmers produce and marketing.

5. COOPERATIVE TRANSPORT NEEDS These needs can be categorized at the levels 1-(production, collection and storage) i.e. ACE and RPO level 2- Mobilization level (Both ACE and National Union level) Our cooperative Union transport needs therefore looks at the following: 1-Special vehicles to transport honey and other bee products. 2- The fact that beekeeping is mainly carried out in rural areas; the means of transport needed is the one that can withstand rough roads i.e. four wheel vehicles (mobilization purposes).

6. AIMS OF TRANSPORT PROVISION  - Marketing purposes  -Mobilization and training purposes  -Increased production

7. HOW WE WOULD LIKE TO IMPROVE OUR TRANSPORT SERVICES Partnering with transport companies and hiring. Having cooperative trucks both at national level and at the level of those ACES that are in position to maintain them. This already features in our union’s three years strategic plan. NICE TIME HERE.