Canoe Building
In April 2005 LBDC initiated a timber plank canoe building program in response to the dwindling availability of eucalyptus trees suitable for dug-outs. The aim of the program was to teach interested and capable members of the local lake community the skills required to build a timber plank canoe. They would then be equipped to build this type of canoe for themselves or begin their own boat-building enterprise.
Canoes around Lake Bunyonyi have traditionally been built by hollowing out large eucalyptus trees. This method uses an entire tree for one canoe and wastes up to 90% of the wood. It is a far more efficient use of wood to cut trees into timber planks and build canoes from the planks. This way one tree can produce up to ten canoes rather than just one.
In May 2005 eight members of the local community were trained in timber plank canoe building. By the end of their course, they had produced two plank canoes and had decided to start their own association with the help of LBDC. The Lake Bunyonyi Boat Builders Association (LBBBA) works together to promote their trade and build strong, safe and affordable boats for the local community.