Excitement in Kisoro as Lake Chahafi is Restocked with 876,400 Tilapia

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Excitement in Kisoro as Lake Chahafi is Restocked with 876,400 Tilapia

ugandaradionetwork.com

12min

There is excitement in Chahafi Town Council in Kisoro District following the restocking of Lake Chahafi. Residents have welcomed the introduction of 876,400 tilapia fingerlings into the lake, an initiative carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) through the Uganda Climate-Smart Agriculture Transformation Project (UCSATP).

Lake Chahafi

William Ndamagye, a resident of Gihuyaga Village, said the initiative will improve livelihoods and enable parents to educate their children in better schools. He noted that many children currently attend poorly equipped schools because families cannot afford high fees. He commended the leadership of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for responding positively to residents’ requests submitted through local council leaders.

Safari Wilson, Vice Chairperson of the Chahafi Fishermen’s Group, said the community is especially excited because the lake has not provided significant benefits for more than 20 years. He described the restocking as a sign of future development for communities around the lake.

Wilson added that cases of kwashiorkor, a protein-deficiency disease affecting young children, have been prevalent. He expressed optimism that once fishing begins, families will access protein from the fish and earn income from sales. He also explained that members of the fishermen’s group plan to save money from the project to improve their financial stability and livelihoods.

Hadard Nkunzimana, LCIII Chairperson of Chahafi Town Council, said the project will boost local revenue through taxes collected from fish traders and fishermen, enabling the town council to plan better and improve infrastructure, including roads. He thanked the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with Kisoro District Local Government, for strategizing and implementing the restocking.

He added that residents are committed to protecting the lake as the fish grow, and within two years, traders and buyers from across the Kigezi region, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are expected to visit Chahafi in search of fish. Denis Birungi, Fisheries Officer in Kisoro District Local Government, explained that the fingerlings will first be raised in two cages installed in the lake.

Once each fish reaches five grams, they will be released into the lake, a process that will take between one and three months. He assured residents that the restocking is being closely monitored by district officials to ensure better survival and growth rates and emphasized collaboration with residents to prevent illegal fishing and premature harvesting.

Geoffrey Dheyongera, Principal Fisheries Officer from MAAIF, noted that Lake Chahafi was selected among thirteen small lakes nationwide for restocking, following research showing that small lakes can support sustainable fish growth. He said the ministry expects production of about 200,000 tonnes of fish within one year, valued at approximately 700 billion shillings at the landing site.

The initiative is projected to create over 200 jobs for fishermen and fish traders, reduce poverty, improve food security, and enhance nutrition. Dheyongera added that sustainable fishing guidelines will be developed with beneficiaries, and restoration of shoreline vegetation will create breeding areas for fish, ensuring long-term production without continuous restocking.