Government Rolls Out Multi-million Climate-Smart Fish Farming Project in Kiryandongo

Authorities in Kiryandongo District have launched a government-funded climate-smart aquaculture project worth more than 304 million Shillings to increase fish production, improve household incomes and strengthen communities’ resilience to climate change.

The initiative is being implemented under the Uganda Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation Project (UCSATP), through which four organised farmer groups will establish modern commercial fish farming enterprises. Under the programme, each group will receive 76 million Shillings, with the government financing 80 per cent of the project cost while beneficiaries contribute the remaining 20 per cent.

Kiryandongo District Production Officer Hassan Byenkya says only organised farmer groups comprising about 15 members with valid National Identification Cards qualify for support. The groups already selected to benefit are Karagalya Fish Farmers Group, Kanyogo Fish Farmers Group and Mapendo Fish Farmers Group.

Byenkya explained that the government will provide essential production inputs, including fishponds, fingerlings and fish feeds, and equip beneficiaries with the technical knowledge and skills required to sustainably manage the enterprises.

District Fisheries Officer Scovia Nyiratunga said each fishpond will be stocked with approximately 7,000 tilapia fingerlings, translating to about 35,000 fingerlings per beneficiary group across the project’s ponds. She said the fish are expected to reach market size within six months, after which each group is projected to earn about 133 million Shillings, significantly improving members’ incomes and livelihoods.

Kiryandongo Principal Accounting Officer Denis Dacan urged beneficiaries to embrace the project responsibly and ensure prudent management of the government investment. He directed the district technical officers to closely supervise implementation while calling on group leaders to uphold transparency and accountability to guarantee value for public funds.

Kiryandongo LCV Chairperson Nelson Osaga described the initiative as a potential game changer in the district’s efforts to reduce poverty and promote climate-smart agriculture.

“This project will enable our farmers to produce quality fish, increase household incomes and create employment opportunities, especially for young people. I encourage local leaders to mobilise more residents to form organised groups so they can benefit from similar interventions,” Osaga said.

Resident District Commissioner Dan Muganga pledged to closely monitor the project to ensure proper accountability for the funds invested. He also urged group leaders to maintain accurate financial and production records.

Muganga further warned residents against illegal activities such as brick making and cultivation in wetlands, urging communities instead to utilise suitable wetland areas responsibly for fish farming in line with environmental conservation efforts.

One of the beneficiaries, Olivia Banyaga of Karagalya Fish Farmers Group, expressed optimism that the project will increase household incomes and create employment opportunities for people in the area.