Soroti - H.E Yoweri Museveni is expected to grace the world fisheries day celebrations in Serere district as the chief guest where hundreds of people all over Uganda are expected to attend.

According to Hon.Hellen Adoa the state minister for agriculture, animal industry and fisheries in a press conference early yesterday in Soroti hotel, the International World Fisheries Day is celebrated across the globe on November 21st, 2022.

"This year, Uganda will join the rest of the world to commemorate the World Fisheries Day on November 25, 2022 in Serere District at the District Local Government Grounds under the theme “Promoting fish farming for improved household incomes.” The Chief Celebrant this year is His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, Rtd. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni",

The celebrations this year will be jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and District Local Government in Serere. 

"The theme highlights that increased production and consumption of fisheries products has a critical contribution to food security, nutrition and immediate and long-term benefit on people’s incomes and the economy, In the case of Uganda, the Fisheries sub-sector contributes 4% to the National GDP and is the second largest export product for Uganda after coffee",

She aslo added that all Ugandans both in the fisheries subsector and otherwise are invited to celebrate the World Fisheries Day in Serere District on Friday November 25th, 2022.

In order to increase aqua culture production in Uganda,the minister explained that government is focused at providing critical quality inputs in form of fish fingerlings and fish feeds as starter packages to hundreds of farmers countrywide,Support the development of fish farmers and marketing associations and cooperatives,design and construction of 2 large scale Aqua-parks in Apac and Kalangala that are both on-going as each will have fish grow-out facilities, a fish hatchery, feed store and ice-plant.

Why World Fisheries Day Is Important

It’s a reminder of environmental sustainability adaptation – World Fisheries Day is an important reminder to inform fishing communities and those around them of climate change and pollution mitigation, in order to keep our fisheries clean and productive;

It provides economic support to fishing folks particularly youth and women – Fish forms an importan nut part of the diets of people around the country, particularly those that live near rivers and other water bodies. A number of traditional communities are rallied around the occupation of fishing, and approximately 50% of them are women. WFD increase awareness among low-income fishermen and women who work tirelessly in fisheries, especially those in rural areas;

It is a livelihood support to many households and foreign exchange earner to Government – Ugandan fisheries and aquaculture is an important sector of food production providing nutritional security, besides livelihood support and gainful employment to more than one million people, and contributing to agricultural exports. More than 50 different types of fish and fish products are being exported to European Union, China, USA and the United Arab Emirates. Fish and fish products have presently emerged as the third largest group in agricultural exports from Uganda. World Fisheries Day is a great opportunity to learn more about where our fish comes from and the environment of fisheries;

Events and Activities to Commemorate World Fisheries Day

The World Fisheries Day celebration is organised by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries in collaboration with Serere District Local Government, Development Partners, Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations, Research Institutions, Training Institutions and the Academia. Participants have been invited to show case various technologies and inputs for fisheries and aquaculture value chain. The WFD is an open event and all government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector including commercial fish farmers, input dealers, telecommunications companies, fish-processors, financial institutions, the media, insurance companies have been invited to participate. 

Pre-event activities are geared towards creating awareness, community sensitisation, demonstration of good aquaculture practices, cleaning of fish landing sites for a healthy aquatic environment. Commemoration activities shall take the form of exhibitions of technologies related to fisheries and aquaculture, rallies, workshops, public meetings, cultural dramas, and music shows and competitions. Local communities will participate in the pre-event activities aimed at promoting and development of the aquaculture subsector.