The Ministry of Agriculture has requested Shs23 billion to restock Uganda’s water bodies with various fish species and establish production facilities in an effort to boost the fisheries sector.
The proposal comes amid concerns from Parliament’s Budget and Agriculture Committees over the paradox of declining fish exports despite an increase in fish catches. However, lawmakers representing fishing communities have cast doubts on the ministry’s plan, arguing that it fails to address the core challenges facing the sector.
While presenting the 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper to the Budget Committee, Moses Kabusu, MP for Kyamuswa County, criticized the ministry for failing to engage fishing communities before drafting the proposal. He pointed out that previous government initiatives had fallen short due to a lack of consultation.
“These researchers at NaFIRRI or NARO may have strong academic expertise, but they don’t consult fishermen about the real conditions of our water bodies,” Kabusu stated. “For example, cold storage facilities meant for export-quality fish are not operational in areas like Kalangala, Mayuge, or Mukono.”
Robert Migadde, MP for Buvuma Island, echoed similar concerns, accusing the government of neglecting Uganda’s natural advantage in fish exports, particularly the Nile Perch. He dismissed the restocking initiative as an ineffective solution to the issue of overfishing, suggesting instead that the government should develop alternative sources of income for fishing communities rather than relying solely on fisheries.
Despite these reservations, Parliament approved the Ministry of Agriculture’s request. However, the funding remains an unfunded item in the 2025/26 National Budget Framework Paper, leaving the fate of the initiative uncertain.
