Shs 3bln Apac dam project begins amid concern over 20 percent community contribution

APAC, October 21, 2026 — Construction of a Shs 3 billion community aquaculture dam has begun in Okutu-Agwe village, Teboke Subcounty, Apac district, under the Government’s Uganda Climate-Smart Agricultural Transformation Project [UCSATP].

The six-year national initiative is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries [MAAIF] in partnership with other agencies and Apac District Local Government.

The project is intended to promote fish farming and provide participating households with an additional source of income. Aliman Capital Company Limited was awarded the construction contract.

The six-month project is expected to be completed in March 2027.

At the project launch on Monday, Apac District Fisheries Officer Tyan John said the Government requires communities to contribute 20 per cent towards projects of this nature.

He said many residents would struggle to meet the requirement and called for a review of the funding structure, given the high levels of household poverty in the district.

Tyan said the requirement could limit communities’ access to development programmes in the Lango, Acholi, Teso and Karamoja sub-regions.

He asked Maruzi North Member of Parliament Bernard Otim Odoc to raise the matter in Parliament.

Odoc said he had raised concerns about the cost of community contributions at a National Resistance Movement caucus meeting with President Yoweri Museveni on October 2.

He said the President had indicated that a second dam would be constructed in the area alongside the current project.

Five dams planned under wider programme

District officials said the initiative is part of the UCSATP, which aims to improve farming practices and market access while helping communities adapt to climate change.

Maxwell Elinga, an agricultural officer overseeing activities in Apac Subcounty, said four groups in Maruzi North had been earmarked to receive seedlings.

The Barodilo Vegetable Growers Group had already received and planted its seedlings, he said.

“Three other groups are due to receive further support, including the Maruzi North Foundation Aquaculture Project,” Elinga said. “The programme is also seeking eight groups to grow oranges and mangoes, with 30 members expected in each group.”

The aquaculture project’s beneficiary group has 23 members.

The wider plan includes excavating five dams and distributing more than 35,000 fish fingerlings. Further phases are planned after eight months, according to information provided at the launch.

Apac District Production Department head Betty Jokene urged residents to consider other sources of income, including beekeeping and vegetable growing.

She said the district would visit the site to monitor construction and provide technical support.

Odoc credited residents Ongu Bonny and Ogwang Patrick with providing land for the dam and appealed to others with suitable land to support similar projects.

He said he had contributed Shs 15 million to the aquaculture project, in addition to funds raised by group members.

The MP also urged residents to protect wetlands and avoid activities that violate environmental regulations.

He said homes and suitable economic activities should be established on land outside wetlands.

Apac Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Yussuf Akubonabona said 69 of Uganda’s 135 districts had benefited from the UCSATP, including Apac.

He urged residents to cooperate with the project team and protect the facility.

“Do not damage the dam or poison its waters. Section 97 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act provides for a penalty of up to eight years’ imprisonment. Poisoning the dam attracts a fine of Shs10,000 currency points, roughly Shs 200 million,” he said.

Akubonabona also urged parents and guardians to ensure that children did not play near the dam unattended.

Apac district is among Uganda’s 31 primary districts identified as suitable for fisheries and aquaculture development, with the Lake Kyoga water system supporting the sector.

The district fisheries department has distributed more than 6,000 fish fingerlings to local aquaculture farmers, as well as 414 kilogrammes of fish feed valued at Shs 6,453,865, to promote household fish production.

https://thecooperator.news/kikuube-launches-community-led-reform-of-fishing-sector-on-lake-albert/

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