State House Comptroller Ms. Jane Barekye visited fish farming sites in Pallisa District on Monday, where she witnessed the harvest of tilapia and catfish from ponds established under a presidential initiative to transition communities from rice farming in wetlands to aquaculture.
During the visit to Limoto and Kaitambiri fish farming sites, Ms. Barekye informed farmers that Masheda Holdings has secured a ready market to purchase fish in bulk directly from the community upon harvest. She said the company is prepared to pay cash for all ready fish at the point of sale.
Ms. Barekye announced plans to expand the project by constructing an additional 20 ponds, noting that each acre can accommodate four ponds. She projected that the expanded venture could generate up to UGX 1 billion within 8 to 10 months.
She urged residents to fully embrace fish farming as a viable pathway to improved livelihoods and emphasized the need for vigilance and security to protect the investment. “We don’t want to find empty ponds, so maintain an eye on them,” she said, adding that measures will be put in place to enhance security around the ponds.
The Resident District Commissioner of Pallisa, Mr. Dhisooka Majid, expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting that rice farming in wetlands had previously yielded minimal income. He encouraged residents to utilize wetlands for fish farming, highlighting its profitability and environmental benefits.
The project Director, Major David Muwanga Kibirango, reported that You’ll see currently 26 fish ponds at Limoto Fish Farm, with each acre hosting four ponds. He stated that each acre contains about 15,000 fish, capable of generating approximately UGX 80 million per harvest, and that most fish reach an average weight of one kilogram within eight months and are ready for sale.
Mr. David Ossiya, Operations Manager representing Masheda Holdings, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to purchase all harvested fish directly from farmers. He said they are ready to come and pay cash for the ready fish and added that within a year, the company plans to support farmers with fish feeds, acknowledging that feeding remains a significant cost in fish farming.
Mr. Minka Make, Chairperson of the fish ponds at Kaitambiri, expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that rice farming previously generated minimal income, but fish farming now offers a reliable and profitable alternative.
Following her visit to Pallisa, Ms. Barekye proceeded to Kayunga District, where she officially launched the selling of fish at the Mengo Zonal Industrial Hub. She said that under the hub, there is a four-acre model that includes fish farming to teach farmers how to utilize wetlands without destroying the environment.
At the Mengo Industrial Hub, she announced the launch of fish sales from ponds at the site, noting that even as there are three ponds, two are ready for harvest.
The Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha, informed residents that they had come to witness one of the four components of the Presidential initiatives in industrial hubs, with fish farming being one of them. He noted that when President Museveni launched the industrial hubs, he also launched fish farming as a way of preserving wetlands without interfering with infrastructure.
Eng. Kamugisha called upon Ugandans to embrace fish farming as a way to make money and preserve wetlands. He stated that a pond on 1,000 square metres placed on one acre can make a profit of UGX 100 million in a year after deducting other costs like feeding, which do not exceed 20%.
