Presidential Fish Farming Initiative Boosts Incomes in Pallisa and Kayunga

State House Comptroller Ms. Jane Barekye has officially launched the sale of fish from ponds at the Mengo Zonal Industrial Hub in Kayunga District, marking an expansion of a presidential initiative aimed at transforming wetland use from low-income rice farming to profitable and sustainable fish farming.

The initiative, spearheaded by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, seeks to improve household incomes and promote environmental conservation by shifting communities in Pallisa and Kayunga districts from rice cultivation in wetlands to rearing tilapia and catfish in constructed fish ponds. During her visit to Pallisa District earlier on April 20, 2026, Ms. Barekye observed fish harvesting at the Limoto and Kaitambiri fish farming sites, where farmers have transitioned from earning approximately UGX 200,000 over six months from rice farming to potentially earning up to UGX 80 million per pond harvest from fish farming after five to six months.

Speaking at the Mengo Zonal Industrial Hub, Ms. Barekye announced the official launch of fish sales from the hub’s ponds, stating that two of the three ponds were ready for harvest. She emphasized that the industrial hub model includes a four-acre demonstration plot where farmers are trained to utilize wetlands without damaging the ecosystem.

Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, confirmed that fish farming is one of four key components of the presidential industrial hubs initiative. He noted that when President Museveni launched the industrial hubs, fish farming was introduced as a means to preserve wetlands while avoiding interference with infrastructure development.

According to Eng. Kamugisha, a pond covering 1,000 square meters on one acre can generate a profit of UGX 100 million annually after deducting costs such as feeding, which account for no more than 20% of expenses. He called on Ugandans to adopt fish farming as a viable income-generating activity that also supports wetland conservation.

In Pallisa, Ms. Barekye had earlier informed farmers at Limoto and Kaitambiri that a secure market had been established through Masheda Holdings, which has committed to purchasing all harvested fish directly from farmers in bulk and paying cash on delivery. Mr. David Ossiya, Operations Manager at Masheda Holdings, reiterated this commitment, stating that the company plans to support farmers with fish feed within a year, acknowledging feed as a major cost in aquaculture.

The State House Comptroller also announced plans to expand the fish farming project in Pallisa by constructing an additional 20 ponds. With each acre accommodating four ponds, she projected that the expanded venture could generate up to UGX 1 billion within 8 to 10 months. She urged residents to embrace fish farming as a reliable path to improved livelihoods and stressed the need for vigilance and security to protect the investment, warning against neglect that could lead to empty ponds.

Local leaders echoed her message. Pallisa Resident District Commissioner Mr. Dhisooka Majid expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting that rice farming had yielded minimal income and encouraging residents to use wetlands for fish farming due to its profitability and environmental benefits. Project Director Major David Muwanga Kibirango reported that the Limoto Fish Farm currently has 26 ponds, with each acre hosting four ponds and approximately 15,000 fish capable of reaching an average weight of one kilogram within eight months.

Mr. Minka Make, Chairperson of the fish ponds at Kaitambiri, affirmed that fish farming has replaced rice farming as a dependable and profitable alternative for local farmers. He described the project as a model for sustainable livelihood transformation and wetland conservation in the district.

The expansion of the fish selling initiative to the Mengo Zonal Industrial Hub reflects a broader strategy to scale the presidential program across Uganda’s industrial zones, integrating aquaculture into rural industrialization efforts while promoting sustainable use of natural resources.