By Mulengera Reporters
Lawmakers from fishing communities have raised concerns about the UGX 23 billion proposal to restock water bodies and establish production facilities for the fisheries sector, arguing that it fails to address the sector’s key challenges.
The concerns were triggered by the Ministry of Agriculture’s request for additional resources amounting to UGX 23 billion for restocking water bodies with various fish species and establishing production facilities. This request comes amid worries raised by both Parliament’s Budget and Agriculture Committees over declining fish exports, despite an increase in the volume of fish catches.
“The Ministry of Agriculture faced a funding gap of UGX 16 billion for establishing land-based and water-based production facilities, and UGX 7 billion for restocking under-stocked water bodies. The Committee recommends that, under the special intervention for the fisheries sub-sector and aquaculture development, UGX 23 billion be provided to implement these activities,” stated Achia Remigio, Vice Chairperson of the Budget Committee, during the presentation of the 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper.
Parliament defended its decision, noting that the fisheries sector is Uganda’s second-largest export earner, with a pressing need for deliberate interventions to boost production and add value to the sector. While fish catches rose by 57% in 2022/23 to 684,305 metric tons, fish exports fell by 11% from US$ 164.48 million (UGX 601.68 billion) to US$ 152.82 million (UGX 559.03 billion), reflecting a UGX 42.65 billion drop in exports.
MPs Respond to the Proposal
Moses Kabusu, the MP for Kyamuswa County, criticized the Ministry of Agriculture for failing to consult with fishing communities before proposing investments in the sector. He claimed that such oversights had led to the failure of previous projects intended to help the industry.
“These researchers at NaFIRRI or NARO might have good academic knowledge, but they don’t consult fishermen about the actual conditions of the water bodies. For example, cold fish storage facilities built for storing fish for export standards aren’t functioning in places like Kalangala, Mayuge, or Mukono,” Kabusu said.
He also cited a failed cage fishing project, funded through a loan to the Ministry of Agriculture, which lapsed without any implementation. “Before the Ministry requests more funds, a comprehensive study should be conducted to ensure that what they propose aligns with the needs of fishermen,” Kabusu added.
Criticism of Government’s Approach
Robert Migadde, MP for Buvuma Island, took the government to task for not adequately addressing the decline in fish exports and for overlooking Uganda’s comparative advantage in Nile Perch, a key export species.
“The government isn’t taking meaningful action to address the challenges in the fisheries sector. The Ministry of Agriculture is focusing on tilapia farming, but Nile Perch is Uganda’s strength, not tilapia,” Migadde remarked. He also emphasized the need for sustainable fishing practices and measures to combat illegal fishing gears, which he identified as a significant factor contributing to overfishing.
Migadde dismissed the proposal to restock water bodies, arguing that it wouldn’t solve the overfishing problem. Instead, he called for alternative sources of income to reduce the fishing communities’ reliance on the sector. “The depletion of fish stocks is caused by illegal fishing practices, and restocking alone won’t help. The government needs to diversify income sources for these communities,” he said.
Migadde also criticized the government for neglecting the drop in fish exports, despite the sector being a major export earner. However, his claim that fish exports had fallen from US$ 350 million to US$ 64 million is factually incorrect. Bank of Uganda records show that Uganda’s fish exports have never exceeded US$ 200 million in the past 14 years, with 2023 exports totaling US$ 139.84 million, a slight decrease from US$ 149.29 million in 2022.
Hellen Nakimuli, the MP for Kalangala, urged the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that funds allocated to the fisheries sector are used effectively. “In the past, we have seen ministries request funds, but when the money is disbursed, it doesn’t yield results. We hope that this time, the money will be put to good use,” she said.
Despite the concerns raised, Parliament approved the Ministry of Agriculture’s request, though the funding remains an unfunded item in the 2025/26 National Budget Framework Paper-Parliament Watch. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
