Many university graduates leave school with a degree in their hands and enthusiasm for the career they want to build. But when they start looking for employment in earnest, getting that career started does not go as planned. I graduated in 2017 with bachelors’ in industrial fine arts and a diploma in Law. I had hope to be employed with a white-collar job because I had good results, but after applying for dozens of jobs with no response I was frustrated and sunk into the darkness of inferiority. One day I received a call from one of my friends in Karamoja. She was inviting me to attend a honey week exhibition at lugogo in which she was showcasing her beekeeping products. Given the sales she had made that day, I was attracted into the honey business. After several inquiries on how she started her business, she referred me to one of the exhibitions organizers, Miss Birungi Phionah the programmes manager of TUNADO who later took me through the process of starting a simple beekeeping enterprise.  She equally told me how they provide free training for the members. I later made a decision to join the organization (TUNADO). I started attending their trainings, seminars and workshop where I learnt how to make different bee products like soap, jelly propolis, and bee venom.

I started with honey as my flagship product and later added more products like propolis, jelly, beeswax and bee venom.

With the skills, I had acquired from TUNADO trainings, I used my little savings to buy honey and beeswax, and tried to make a few products that I later on sold to my family members and friends. They liked my products and connected me to other customers. This was a game changer in my life. Through the connections, I formed a company KYEGENZA BEE LTD. The company is located in Nansana Wakiso district. It deals in beekeeping and value addition to bee products.  As I speak I have made tremendous progress in running the business through which I have realized the following;

• Honored by TUNADO as the best youth beekeeping entrepreneur in the just concluded 2020 best beekeeping enterprise challenge
• As a young entrepreneur running a small start-up, I have gained entrepreneurship knowledge which has enabled me to run the company effectively.
• My membership with TUNADO has linked me to experienced beekeepers and processors
• I have registered an increase in sales due to product diversification. I no longer rely on one product i.e. honey but gone an extra mile to include; propolis and jelly.
• • As a young business manager, I have received business counseling services that have helped withstand the tough times experienced in running a business.
  • As a young woman, I now feel economically empowered and confident to run a company. I can now solely discuss and negotiate business.

  Changes realized

  My company has registered some positive changes which include;

  • The company has improved its diversification from one product that is honey to addition of propolis and jelly.
  • The company’s monthly revenue has increased from 150,000 when I had established it to UGX 2,000,000 currently. With profits worth 600,000 Ugx
  • The company now employs 4 youths
  • The company no longer relies only on raw materials from its apiary but also sources from other suppliers to avoid product stock outs and distribution delays.
  • Future plansAs a young venture, the company has set out plans for future growth which can easily be attainable;
    • The company plans to increase its honey production from 100.5 kg per month to 175.5 kg in 2021 with a stretch target of reaching 2 MT in the next three years.
    • The company projects its propolis production to reach 7 liters per month in 2021 from 5 liters.
    • Jelly production is projected to reach 40 liters per month from 20 liters in 2021.
    • In terms of the market, the company currently has 5 bulk customers and 50 individual customers. In 2021, the plan is to increase bulk customers to 10 with a target of 30 bulk customers including institutional buyers in the next three years. The company also expects to increase the number of individual customers to 200 in 2021.
    • Future plansAs a young venture, the company has set out plans for future growth which can easily be attainable;
      • The company plans to increase its honey production from 100.5 kg per month to 175.5 kg in 2021 with a stretch target of reaching 2 MT in the next three years.
      • The company projects its propolis production to reach 7 liters per month in 2021 from 5 liters.
      • Jelly production is projected to reach 40 liters per month from 20 liters in 2021.
      • In terms of the market, the company currently has 5 bulk customers and 50 individual customers. In 2021, the plan is to increase bulk customers to 10 with a target of 30 bulk customers including institutional buyers in the next three years. The company also expects to increase the number of individual customers to 200 in 2021.
      • • The company’s apiary currently holds 90 KTB hives. There is a target of increasing the number of hives to 200 in the next 2 years.
        • The company is to develop a customer database and create a Customer Relationship Management system to manage customer relationships.
        • The company plans to increase the number of suppliers to 3 from one supplier it relied on in 2020. This is to avoid stock outs especially during slow months.
        • The company seeks to become the best youth and female run enterprise in the central region.

        Advice to the youths

        • The young people should look out for opportunities with long term gains even though they take some time instead of targeting quick financial fixes.
        • They should consider taking more risks instead of running away from them.
        • The youth should establish collaborations with established entrepreneurs and learn from them.

         

        Compiled by allon Bomujuni – Mmebership Development Officer