Youth in Lango urged to embrace fish farming to boost household incomes

LIRA CITY, October 22, 2026 — The youth in the Lango Subregion have been urged to embrace fish farming to improve their household incomes, with agricultural experts saying concerns about getting dirt and encountering an unpleasant smell from the fish ponds should not deter them from investing in the enterprise.

Jesse Lugya, an Aquaculture Research Officer at Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute [Ngetta ZARDI], said limited access to land and inadequate capital were among the major challenges preventing young people in the Lango and Acholi sub-regions from establishing fish farms.

However, he noted that negative perceptions of fish farming were also discouraging young people, including those who had the resources to venture into the business.

“Young people have been slow to adopt fish farming because many lack access to land and the capital required to start. However, even those with land and money are sometimes reluctant to venture into it because they associate it with dirt and unpleasant smells. Some also perceive it as work for people who have not gone to school,” Lugya said.

He said many young people preferred ventures that promised quick returns, such as motorcycle taxi riding, commonly known as boda boda, instead of investing in fish farming, which he said could generate substantial income over time.

“One of the things we have observed in Lango and Acholi is that many young people shy away from fish farming because they want quick money. They turn to boda boda riding, yet fish farming can be more rewarding if properly managed,” Lugya said.

“Each fish pond can generate up to Shs15 million every six months, depending on how well it is managed. We are encouraging fellow young people to return to where the money is by investing in fish farming.”

Lugya said Ngetta ZARDI was recently promoting the use of chest waders, waterproof protective clothing designed to keep fish farmers clean while working in ponds, to address concerns about dirt and unpleasant smells.

“For those who think fish farming is a dirty job, we have introduced personal protective equipment known as chest waders. They are waterproof and help farmers remain clean when entering and leaving fish ponds,” he said.

“With this equipment, a young person can work in a pond, come out clean and go about their other activities, including meeting friends in the evening. Fish farming should not necessarily mean walking around smelling of mud.”

A chest wader is a waterproof protective garment fitted with gumboots and designed to cover the wearer up to chest level. According to the information provided, the equipment costs between Shs 150,000 and Shs 200,000.

Ronald Otim, the Kwania District Fisheries Officer, said unpleasant smells in fish ponds could result from overfeeding, low oxygen levels, poor maintenance and unsuitable soil conditions.

“When fish are overfed, some of the feed remains uneaten and sinks to the bottom of the pond, where it decomposes and causes unpleasant smells. Low oxygen levels and the accumulation of organic matter can also contribute to the problem,” Otim said.

He added that soil conditions could worsen the smell, particularly in ponds located in areas affected by sewage.

Otim said fisheries officers trained farmers in biosecurity, disease prevention and management to improve fish health and productivity while maintaining suitable conditions in ponds and tanks.

“We advise farmers to use the recommended feeds and quantities and to feed the fish according to their response. They should also flush the system at least twice a week and remove accumulated mud and other waste from ponds after each production cycle,” he said.

“For those practising tank-based fish farming, we recommend changing the water two or three times a week because fish are confined in a smaller space, where waste can accumulate more quickly.”

Despite the potential returns, some fish farmers say theft, predators and other operational challenges continue to undermine the business.

Goddy Obong, Chairperson of the Apuru-Bonyo Fish Farmers Group in Oyam district, said birds, monitor lizards and thieves had repeatedly caused losses by taking fish from their ponds.

“I started fish farming in 2022, but I have not yet earned good money from it because we have faced many challenges. Birds and monitor lizards eat the fish, while thieves come with nets and steal them from the ponds,” Obong said.

He said the difficulties had also contributed to a decline in membership of the group, which initially had seven members but has since lost two.

“We started as seven members, but two have dropped out because of the hardships involved in fish farming. The losses caused by predators and theft have made it difficult for some of us to continue,” he said.

Obong called for support to help young people fence their fish ponds to protect them against predators and theft.

“If young people who have established fish ponds could receive assistance to fence them, it would help protect their fish from birds, other animals and thieves,” he said.

Justine Kato, a manager of a fish hatchery in Agweno-pe-tongoting village, Abaler ward, Amolatar Town Council, said fish farming required considerable investment, patience and technical knowledge, factors that could discourage young people from entering the business.

He cited inadequate capital, limited expertise and negative perceptions of fish farming as additional barriers to youth participation.

“Fish farming is not a small business. It requires substantial capital, technical knowledge and commitment, but many young people lack the expertise and resources to get started,” Kato said.

“Some associate working with fish with dirt and compare it to pig farming. As a result, some are reluctant to work directly on their farms and would rather hire other people to do the work or supervise them.”

Kato said chest waders could improve the comfort and safety of fish farmers but would not, on their own, significantly increase the profitability of the business.

“The innovation is mainly intended to protect the person operating the pond rather than directly improve business growth. Its contribution to profitability is limited, although it can make the work more comfortable,” he said.

“It is like going to the garden in gumboots. The boots help protect you, but they do not determine whether you will succeed in farming.”

Francis Ojok, the Amolatar District Production and Marketing Officer, said young people accounted for a significant proportion of those engaged in fisheries-related activities in the district, while many older people owned boats.

“In Amolatar, young people make up the majority of those involved in fisheries and aquaculture. Our estimate is that about 70 per cent are young people, while adults account for 30 per cent. Many of the adults are mainly boat owners,” Ojok said.

He also revealed plans to establish an aquaculture park in Namasale, an initiative being championed by former Member of Parliament Agness Atim Apea and former mayor Goddy Otoo.

According to Ojok, about 30 fish ponds had already been excavated as part of the initiative, which is expected to create opportunities for more young people if it becomes fully operational.

“We have a major project planned in Namasale called the Aqua-Park, championed by former MP Agness Atim Apea and former mayor Goddy Otoo. About 30 fish ponds have already been excavated,” he said.

“When the project becomes operational, it is expected to create more employment opportunities for young people. It is also linked to plans for a fish feed factory, which could be established along the Agwata–Dokolo road or after the Dokolo–Namasale road is tarmacked.

“The factory would help supply fish feed to the 12 districts surrounding Amolatar.”

https://thecooperator.news/uganda-moves-to-strengthen-fisheries-management/

Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our  countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news