By Juma Nsubuga
The Ministry for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has tabled new Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations to Strengthen Fisheries Management.
According to Fisheries State Minister Robert Migadde, the reforms aim at rebuilding fish stocks and promoting sustainable harvesting.
He told journalists at the Uganda Media Center that the regulations introduce stricter licensing, standardized fishing gear, protected breeding areas, closed seasons, quality assurance measures, aquaculture guidelines, and a strengthened Monitoring, Control & Surveillance Unit.
He called on fishers, local governments, civil society, and the private sector to support implementation of these reforms.
The Minister further reminded all fishers to apply for species‑specific licenses before 15 September 2026, after which enforcement against illegal fishing capacity will begin.
“Uganda is blessed with vast freshwater resources that support a rich diversity of fish species and a growing aquaculture sector,” he noted, adding that the sector supports over a million livelihoods and drives significant export revenue.
Fishing is a vital economic pillar and a popular recreational activity in Uganda, centered around major water bodies like Lake Victoria and the River Nile.
It supports over a million livelihoods, drives significant export revenue, and offers world-class sport fishing for massive freshwater species like the Nile perch.
Migadde called for concerted efforts to among all stakeholders to restore Uganda’s fisheries, noting that it is a vital resource for generations to come.
