Kyegegwa Fish Production Remains Low Despite 306 Registered Farmers

What the report says

Kyegegwa District’s fish farming sector is still operating mostly at a subsistence level, according to Nile Post, despite having 306 registered fish farmers and 494 ponds. The district produced 12.64 tonnes of fish in 2025, a level local officials said remains too low to support a stronger commercial aquaculture industry.

The report says Fisheries Officer Lucas Abesiga identified several main constraints holding back growth: a shortage of skilled labour, unreliable water supplies and limited access to quality fish feed. He said these problems are preventing farmers from expanding production and moving beyond small-scale operations.

The concerns were raised on October 13, 2026, during the launch of Silver Hutch Uganda Limited in Nkanja Sub-county by State Minister for Fisheries Robert Migadde Ndugwa. The company, which began operating in March 2024, offers fish farming services, fingerlings and related support to farmers. Migadde urged farmers to view aquaculture as a viable income source and said government backing would depend on the company meeting required standards.

Silver Hutch Uganda’s chief executive, Silver Tumuhimbise, called for more support to expand operations, including land, a fish-feed pellet machine and other resources. The article presents the district’s low output as an example of the broader challenges facing efforts to grow aquaculture in rural Uganda, where access to inputs and technical support can determine whether farming remains subsistence-based or becomes commercially viable.