Fish Farming in Uganda

 

Fish Farming Offers Great Potential to Meet Uganda's Rising Demand.

As both capture fisheries output and imported fish products face environmental and market access constraints in Uganda, local freshwater aquaculture is becoming a priority to sustainably bolster national fish supplies. Get a Copy of the comprehensive cost-benefit analysis

Tilapia and catfish currently dominate Uganda’s farm-raised fish output. Most production comes from small, family-owned pond operations using cheap feed sources. However, with improved inputs and modern techniques, both growth rate and survival could rapidly improve.

The government aims to expand aquaculture’s contribution from under 20% currently to 40% of national output by 2040. Several technical training institutes and partnerships with international aid groups are building local expertise in pond construction, feed formulation and genetics. Access to affordable commercial feeds and fingerlings remain key growth constraints.

Significant funding is flowing into cage-based fish farming models on Lakes Victoria and Kyoga to leapfrog yields. While offering efficiency, concerns remain around environmental impact and climate risks from fluctuating water levels.

With ready access to inexpensive inputs and land for pond construction across its fertile inland regions, Uganda is well positioned to scale its domestic aquaculture. This offers income potential for rural farmers while ensuring affordable fish reaches the plates of Uganda’s rapidly growing urban working class. Get a Copy of the comprehensive cost-benefit analysis