The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has revealed that more Ugandans will not suffer from lack of nutrients as fish production has greatly improved, Spyreports has learnt. This information was revealed during the release of the aquaculture report at UBOS headquarters in Kampala. It was officiated by State Minister for Planning, Hon. Amos Lugolobi, and witnessed by UBOS Executive Director Dr. Chris Mukiiza and other top government officials from various ministries and institutions.
Dr. Mukiiza said Uganda is the first African country to conduct an aquaculture census. The report indicates that Uganda produced a total of 65,444 metric tonnes of fish. Tilapia was the most produced fish, with 53,924.1 MT representing 82%, followed by catfish with 11,347.4 MT (17%), while mirror carp came third with 111.4 MT (0.2%). Other species recorded 6.1 MT (0.1%).
“Buganda region emerged the leader in fish production with a total of 55,704 MT, while Sebei came last with 33 MT,” says part of the report, adding that a total of 93 million seeds were used, with tilapia again leading at 75.1%.
The report also indicates that a total of 9,463 farms were registered during the census, with 6,408 in rural areas and 3,055 in urban areas. Buganda region had the highest number of farms totaling 1,250 (13.4%), with Mukono leading at 161 farms and Nakasongola having the lowest at 13 farms.
The aquaculture census further shows that most fish in Uganda is grown in ponds, with a total of 8,738 recorded during the census, followed by cages and tanks, among others. The report indicates that Busoga is the second-largest region in fish production with 1,038 farms, followed by Ankole (973), Rwenzori (827), Bunyoro (752), and Lango (658), among others.
The minister noted that fishing in Uganda is profitable but urged the Ministry of Fisheries to provide more information to the public before people invest in the sector.
