Fish farming to kick poverty out of Uganda

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In a major boost to the President’s "Four-Acre Model" of wealth creation, State House Comptroller Jane Barekye has officially launched the commercial sale of fish at the Mengo Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub in Kayunga District.

The launch marks a significant milestone for the hub, which serves as a centre for vocational excellence and modern agricultural transformation.

Speaking at the event, Barekye highlighted that fish farming is a cornerstone of the presidential initiative to teach Ugandans how to profitably utilise wetlands without compromising environmental integrity.

“Under this hub, we have several enterprises, and among them is the four-acre model,” Ms Barekye said. “We have decided to launch the selling of fish that has been growing in these ponds. While we have three ponds here, two are now fully ready for harvest.”

Barekye’s visit to Kayunga followed a successful inspection of similar aquaculture projects at Limoto and Kaitambiri in Pallisa District.

She emphasised that these projects are designed to transition communities from low-value activities like rice farming—which often yields just sh 200,000 over six months—to high-yield fish farming, where a single pond can generate up to sh 80 million per harvest.

Minka Make, chairperson of the fishponds at Kaitambiri, expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that rice farming previously generated minimal income, but fish farming now offers a reliable and profitable alternative.

Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, the director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, informed residents that the Kayunga harvest is a practical demonstration of President Yoweri Museveni’s vision for sustainable land use.

“When the President was launching these industrial hubs, he also launched fish farming as a way of preserving wetlands without interfering with infrastructure,” Eng. Kamugisha noted. He further explained the lucrative nature of the venture, stating that a 1,000-square-meter pond can net a profit of UGX 100 million annually, even after accounting for feeding costs.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, Barekye revealed that a steady market has already been secured through Masheda Holdings, a private partner committed to purchasing the fish in bulk directly from the hubs and community farmers.

David Ossiya, the operations manager representing Masheda Holdings, said they are ready to purchase all harvested fish directly from the farmers.

“We are committed and ready to take off from the community. We shall come and pay cash for all the ready fish,” he said.

The launch at the Mengo Zonal Hub serves as a call to action for Ugandans to embrace aquaculture as a pathway out of poverty. By providing both the technical skills and a guaranteed market, the State House initiative aims to turn environmental conservation into a billion-shilling industry for local households.

With the first harvest now hitting the market, the Mengo Industrial Hub stands as a model for how presidential initiatives are turning theoretical wealth-creation strategies into tangible cash for the common man.