Government has committed more than Shs 304 million to support climate-smart aquaculture in Kiryandongo district, with four farmer groups set to receive Shs 76 million each to establish commercial fish farming enterprises.
The project aims to increase fish production, improve household incomes and strengthen communities’ resilience to climate change.
It is being implemented under the Uganda Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation Project (UCSATP), with government financing 80 per cent of the project cost while beneficiaries contribute the remaining 20 per cent.
Kiryandongo district production officer Hassan Byenkya said only organised farmer groups comprising about 15 members, each with a valid National Identity card, qualify for the support.
The beneficiary groups include Karagalya Fish Farmers Group, Kanyogo Fish Farmers Group, Mapendo Fish Farmers Group and one other selected group.
Byenkya said government will provide key production inputs, including fishponds, fingerlings and fish feeds, while also equipping beneficiaries with the technical knowledge and skills needed to manage the enterprises sustainably.
District fisheries officer Scovia Nyiratunga said each fishpond will be stocked with about 7,000 tilapia fingerlings, translating to approximately 35,000 fingerlings for each beneficiary group across the project’s ponds.
She said the fish are expected to reach market size within six months, with each group projected to earn about Shs 133 million from the first harvest, significantly boosting members’ incomes and livelihoods.
Kiryandongo principal accounting officer Denis Dacan urged beneficiaries to manage the project responsibly and ensure prudent use of the government investment.
He directed district technical officers to closely supervise implementation and called on group leaders to uphold transparency and accountability to ensure value for public funds.
Kiryandongo LC V chairperson Nelson Osaga described the initiative as a potential game changer in the district’s efforts to reduce poverty and promote climate-smart agriculture.
“This project will enable our farmers to produce quality fish, increase household incomes and create employment opportunities, especially for young people. I encourage local leaders to mobilise more residents to form organised groups so they can benefit from similar interventions,” Osaga said.
Resident district commissioner Dan Muganga pledged to closely monitor the project to ensure proper accountability for the funds invested. He also urged group leaders to maintain accurate financial and production records.
Muganga further warned residents against illegal activities such as brick making and cultivation in wetlands, urging communities instead to utilise suitable wetland areas responsibly for fish farming in line with environmental conservation efforts.
One of the beneficiaries, Olivia Banyaga of Karagalya Fish Farmers Group, said the project is expected to improve household incomes and create employment opportunities for members of the community.
