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Record-breaking attendance figures at WA25 Uganda

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Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the event attracted over 1,800 attendees from 79 countries worldwide, with a majority from Africa.

People at a conference in Africa.
World Aquaculture Safari 2025 was held at the Speke Resort Munyonyo

© WAS

The World Aquaculture Safari 2025 (WA25 Uganda) was held from 24–27 June in Munyonyo-Kampala, Uganda, under the theme Aquaculture on the Rise. The event marked a major return to in-person international aquaculture conferences in Africa, showcasing how collaboration in education, science, technology and business is driving the continent’s rapidly expanding aquaculture industry. WA25 Uganda brought together a wide range of stakeholders, offering valuable opportunities for learning, networking and knowledge exchange.

The event offered a unique platform to celebrate achievements, exchange ideas, innovations and build new partnerships to support the future of aquaculture in Africa. WA25 Uganda marked only the second time a World Aquaculture Society (WAS) global event has been held on the continent, following the 2017 conference in Cape Town. Since then, WAS has launched the annual Aquaculture Africa Conferences (AFRAQs), held in Egypt (2022), Zambia (2023) and Tunisia (2024), with plans to continue the series in other African nations.

High-level attendance and keynote contributions

The guest of honour was Uganda’s vice president, Her Excellency Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, who was joined by other senior state dignitaries from Uganda, as well as high-level guests from development partners. The global WAS president, Dr. David Cline, and the African Chapter President, Ms. Foluke Areola, also attended the event.

The conference's scientific and technical program was filled with sessions that balanced global and African perspectives. Presentations by renowned experts from development organisations, the private sector and academia sparked debates on strategies and innovations that will shape the future of aquaculture. In total, the program featured 61 sessions, over 500 abstracts, 99 posters, four training workshops and various parallel meetings.

Key development partners attended WA25 Uganda, including the European Union, the German development agency GIZ, the World Bank, African Union bodies, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health and the American Soybean Association’s WISHH programme. Their continued support has strengthened collaboration and capacity-building across Africa’s aquaculture sector.

WA25 Uganda drew more than 200 industry professionals from Uganda, across Africa and beyond. Major players included corporate sponsor Aller Aqua, along with leading aquafeed firms, fish producers, equipment suppliers and consultants. Large feed companies also helped mobilise farmers from multiple countries. The African Aquaculture Business Leaders Network, launched at AFRAQ2024 in Tunisia, featured prominently at the event.

Empowering the next generation of aquaculture professionals

The WA25 Uganda Students Programme saw major improvements, attracting nearly 150 participants, mostly from across Africa. Highlights included networking sessions, student presentations, contests, awards and career mentorship, all offering valuable exposure and feedback. Makerere University served as the event’s flagship academic partner.

As with all WAS global events, WA25 Uganda featured a major international trade show alongside the technical programme, with 77 exhibitors from over 20 countries showcasing innovations and engaging with the African aquaculture market. Delegates also took part in field tours to key sites, including De Heus’s new aquafeed factory in Jinja, a large tilapia cage farm in Entebbe, and the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre in Kajjansi.

The WAS Global Board held its annual meeting during the event, while the African Chapter hosted its 2025 mid-term board session to discuss regional priorities.

WA25 Uganda was widely regarded as a success, reinforcing its status as Africa’s leading aquaculture stakeholder gathering. Organisers expressed gratitude to sponsors, including the EU-funded TRUEFISH Project (lead sponsor), GIZ (Gold), and AQUAGROUP, the World Bank, and WISHH (Silver), as well as to all partners and participants. 

Students at a conference in Africa.
The WA25 Uganda Students Programme attracted nearly 150 students

© WAS