Uganda district to set up new fish farms

Fish farming in cages is to be set up in Kabarole district, western Uganda, and is set to increase fish production, according to media reports.

The state minister for water, Jennifer Namuyangu, made the announcement last week, while visiting Kabarole's crater lakes.

Namuyangu added that fish farming which is being promoted under the Bonna Bagaggawale (Prosperity for All) programme, is also meant to increase fish production in Uganda.

She explained that the fish are confined and fed in a cage suspended in the lake and sees the advantages that cages do not need a lot of space and farmers can monitor the growth of the fish.

Chairman of Kabarole Fish Farmers Association, Richard Asiimwe, expressed concern that the cage might be expensive for some farmers.

Allaying his fears, the district fisheries officer, William Sabiti, said the department would make affordable cages.

Due to poor methods, fish production in Kabarole, has been low. Statistics at the fisheries department show that 40 to 80 fishes are caught daily in some crater lakes. As a result, most of the fish sold in the district comes from Bundibugyo, according to media reports.