Uganda has emerged as Africa’s leader in fish capture, with an impressive 622,000 tonnes of fish caught annually, according to a report presented at the African Union’s recent workshop on the COMESA Regional Fisheries Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture. Egypt ranks second, capturing 476,000 tonnes annually.
While Uganda’s performance in fish capture stands out, the report revealed that the country lags significantly behind in aquaculture production, contributing only 6% compared to Egypt’s 67.9%. Other COMESA member states like Malawi, Zambia, Tunisia, Kenya, and Rwanda contribute even less, with aquaculture production ranging from 0.4% to 2.7%.
Despite these disparities, COMESA member states contribute a substantial 79.4% to Africa’s total fisheries market share and 2% to the global market. However, this significant contribution could be expanded further with better investments in research and infrastructure across member countries.
Paul Omanyi Bwire, the Assistant Commissioner for Fish Quality and Safety at Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, stressed the need for more investments in research and technological advancements. He pointed out that Uganda currently farms only three fish species—Tilapia, Catfish, and Miracarp—while countries like Vietnam, through research, have developed 15 additional species. Bwire called for research in genetics to improve fish production, saying that Uganda’s research efforts are poorly funded and lack consistency.
“There is an urgent need for more research funding and for research to focus on developmental outcomes rather than just academics,” he stated.
The workshop highlighted the importance of value chains in the fish production process, which could significantly reduce post-harvest losses and increase profitability. Bwire emphasized that integrating value chains into fish production would ensure that every stage adds value and meets market demands.
The newly proposed Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS) for fisheries and aquaculture in COMESA aims to create an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient sector that will contribute to the economic, social, and environmental well-being of member states. Providence Muvumbi, Director of the Industry and Agriculture Division at the COMESA Secretariat, explained that the strategy would help harmonize policies across the region and address key challenges such as overfishing, post-harvest losses, and inadequate infrastructure.
Muvumbi stressed the importance of improving fish trade by increasing productivity and addressing market access challenges, particularly the lack of proper storage facilities and value added products. She noted that products like fish powder and fish skin bags could offer significant economic value but are not fully utilized due to infrastructural deficiencies.
Bwire also highlighted the importance of certification to access international markets, stating that certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) ensure that production is sustainable and of high quality, giving market leverage in terms of pricing and access.
Collaboration among COMESA member states was emphasized, with Bwanika Joseph, Acting Director of the Ministry of Fisheries, stressing the need for scientific knowledge exchange and establishing centers of excellence, particularly in areas like biosecurity.
Edward Rukuunya, Director of Fisheries Management at the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation, echoed the need for collaboration, noting that the policy framework would help harmonize fisheries management across the region.
However, the workshop also brought attention to the often overlooked laborers in the fisheries value chain. Lovi Kyobusingye, a representative from the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET), expressed concern that the contributions of people living in fishing communities are frequently ignored in government planning. Many of these communities lack essential services like transportation and healthcare.
Kyobusingye also raised concerns about the high rates of HIV in fishing communities, which are exacerbated by a lack of condoms. Some people in these areas reportedly resort to using polythene bags for protection during intercourse. She called for urgent health interventions in these hard to reach areas to address these issues.
