Potential for New Fish Farms in Kabarole

Fish production in Kabarole district is set to increase after the introduction of fish cage farming in her crater lakes, reports New Vision.

The state minister for water, Jennifer Namuyangu, made the announcement last week, while visiting Kabarole's crater lakes.

She added that fish farming, which is being promoted under the Bonna Bagaggawale (Prosperity for All) programme, is also meant to increase fish production in Uganda.

Explaining the method, Minister Namuyangu said the fish are confined and fed in a cage suspended in the lake. She sees the advantages that cages do not need a lot of space and farmers can monitor the growth of the fish.

Chairman of Kabarole Fish Farmers Association, Richard Asiimwe, expressed concern that the cage might be expensive for some farmers.

Allaying his fears, the district fisheries officer, William Sabiti, said the department would make affordable cages.

On how the district would benefit from fish cage farming, the Kabarole district LC5 chairman, Michael Mugisa, said fishermen, who bought the cages would have to pay licence fees for fishing in the crater lakes.

Due to poor methods, fish production in Kabarole, has been low. Statistics at the fisheries department show that 40-80 fish are caught daily in some crater lakes. As a result, most of the fish sold in the district comes from Bundibugyo, according to New Vision.