Government Promotes Fish Farming in Bukedi to Protect Wetlands and Boost Incomes

The Ugandan government is shifting communities in Bukedi from rice farming to fish farming to safeguard the environment and offer better economic opportunities. This effort targets districts like Pallisa, Budaka, and Namutumba, where livelihoods have long relied on wetland rice cultivation.

Col Frank Kaka Bagyenda, former ISO director general, heads the project in collaboration with Semuda Fish Farming Enterprise under Maj David Muwanga Kibirango. At Limoto Swamp in Pallisa, 26 ponds each stocked with 15,000 fish now support 712 families, with plans to expand to 100 ponds.

Funded by EU grants since 2018 via the Water and Environment ministry, the initiative follows a presidential directive on wetland restoration. Rather than mere evictions, it provides alternatives like fish ponds and community sensitization, starting with three ponds in 2018 under the Limoto Wetland Restoration Initiative.

Since August 2025, teams have built ponds and a supporting dam for water changes every two weeks. To make it affordable, residents are encouraged to form Saccos for funding. A standard pond costs Shs6 million by tractor or Shs2.5 million manually, plus Shs500 per 1,000 fingerlings.

Fish mature in seven months, and locals are trained to produce affordable feeds from imported options at Shs5,000 per kilo. Col Kaka highlights aquaculture’s profitability, with fish selling at Shs10,000 per kilo—more than rice or coffee—while urging vigilance against predators and diseases.

Resident Christopher Tumwiine, a rice farmer since 1982 earning Shs3-4 million per season per acre, expects higher returns. The model is expanding to Busoga and Kigezi, drawing interest from areas like Buikwe District.

Source: Daily Monitor