Govt to start large-scale fish farming in north, east

Jun 23, 2009

Eastern and northern Uganda are set to become leading fishing regions, the fisheries state minister has said. Fred Mukisa said the Government was planning to stimulate large-scale fish farming in the area in the next financial year.

By Alex Ocen

Eastern and northern Uganda are set to become leading fishing regions, the fisheries state minister has said. Fred Mukisa said the Government was planning to stimulate large-scale fish farming in the area in the next financial year.

He said the programme would later be rolled out to the rest of the country. Mukisa explained that there is ready market in Europe, a leading international fish destination.

He was last week speaking during a tour of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) projects in Lira, Apac, Amolatar, Dokolo and Oyam districts.

The Government, Mukisa disclosed, will provide appropriate technology and personnel to kick-start the programme.

He explained that the Government would help farmers to tap flood water for the fish ponds. “Since floods are becoming common in eastern Uganda, we will tap the water for production,” Mukisa said.

He noted that Uganda’s waters are good for fish farming. Mukisa explained that the purpose of the initiative was to create household incomes and improve food security.

Amolatar LC5 chairman Alfred Adoli Ogwok noted that the plan was timely, saying the residents were anxious to make a new start after 20 years of the LRA rebel insurgency.

Ogwok said modern farming would lead to speedy recovery. He urged the Government to act quickly to save fish stocks from the Kyoga and Kwania lakes from depletion by smugglers.

Oyam LC5 chairman Charles Engola appealed to the Government to pilot the project in Oyam district, saying the district had suffered the consequences of the LRA war most.

He asked the people to support government projects, saying their welfare would improve.

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