Over 40% fish farmers operating without support  — aquaculture census

Nearly half of Uganda’s fish farmers operate without any formal technical support, exposing a major gap that is limiting output in a sector the Government is relying on to boost food security and rural incomes.

Findings from the Uganda Aquaculture Census (UAC) 2025, released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) on April 30, 2026, in Kampala city, show that only 53.3 per cent of the country’s 9,463 fish farms accessed extension services between July 2024 and June 2025.

The remaining 46.7 per cent equivalent to about 4,500 farms received no advisory support, training, or technical guidance.

Extension services are critical in aquaculture, providing farmers with knowledge on feeding, stocking, disease control and harvesting. Without them, farmers often depend on trial and error or informal practices, resulting in lower productivity and higher losses.

The impact of this gap is reflected in national production patterns. Although Uganda recorded total aquaculture output of 65,444 metric tonnes during the reference period, urban farms, typically with better access to technical support, financing, and markets, accounted for 72.1 per cent of total production despite being fewer. Rural farms, which make up the majority, contributed just 27.9 per cent.

The census also points to significant underutilisation of existing infrastructure. Of the 24,348 fishponds recorded nationwide, about 7,240 (30 per cent) were unstocked during the production period.

Similarly, hatcheries operated below capacity, producing 149.9 million fingerlings against a potential of 200.1 million, a shortfall of about 25 per cent.

Analysts say such inefficiencies are often linked to limited technical knowledge, poor access to quality inputs, and weak support systems, challenges that extension services are designed to address.

Guided interventions

UBOS executive director Dr Chris Mukiza said the findings provide a critical evidence base to guide interventions in the sector and asked the government and academia to utilise these findings to make informed decisions.

“This report comes at a critical time to guide government and private sector planning,” Mukiza said, urging stakeholders to use the data to inform programmes aimed at improving productivity and supporting farmers.

The Executive Director of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Dr Chris N. Mukiza (L) looks on as the Minister of State for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development Amos Lugolobi, (C) signs on the board during the launch of first Uganda Aquaculture Census 2025 Report at UBOS offices in Kampala on April 30, 2026. Right is acting board chairperson, Rosette Nakavuma. (Credit: Ronnie Kijjambu)

Mukiza said Uganda has also set a benchmark as the first country in Africa to undertake a comprehensive aquaculture enumeration, providing a model for other countries seeking to better understand and develop their fisheries sectors.

Small-scale operators dominate field

The census, Uganda’s first comprehensive aquaculture count, also shows that the sector is dominated by small-scale operators, with 6,308 farms located in rural areas. Buganda region has the highest concentration of fish farms, while tilapia remains the most widely farmed species, cultivated by 7,555 farms. Most producers—8,738 farms—rely on pond-based systems.

Senior statistician Flavia Oumo, who was the lead statistician in this census, said the data will support evidence-based decision-making in key areas such as food security, income generation, and value addition.

The findings come as Uganda pushes to expand aquaculture as part of its agricultural transformation agenda, amid declining wild fish stocks and rising demand for affordable protein. However, the census suggests that without addressing structural gaps, particularly access to extension services, the sector may struggle to reach its full potential.

Launching the report, the State Minister for Finance, Amos Lugolobi, said the findings will help guide policy and investment in the sector, which has potential to not only improve food security but also boost income as Uganda expands its blue economy and strives to meet its SDGs.

“I know someone who lost billions of money because he lacked technical support from someone who is informed, he was told to farm Nile perch, which can’t be. As for me, I tried fish farming, but I lacked an expert on feeds; first of all, they are expensive. These are the gaps we need to address as government, and we will be guided by this report,” Lugolobi said.

He further said there is a need to tackle challenges in the sector, including knowledge deficiency and the fish feeds.

As Uganda looks to grow its aquaculture sector, this first census now provides a crucial baseline for measuring progress and shaping the future of fish farming.