Departments

• DEPARTMENT OF AQUACULTURE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT - AMD
• DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (NATURAL STOCKS) - FRMD
• DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES CONTROL, REGULATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE - FCRQA

DEPARTMENT OF AQUACULTURE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

The department is headed by a Commissioner.

Objective

To support sustainable, market-oriented fish production and value addition, for improved food security and household income.

Key Functions

• Formulate, review, and implement policies, legislation, standards, plans and strategies on fish production and value addition.
• Provide guidance on the transfer of improved and appropriate fish production technologies to service providers, processors, traders, and consumers.
• Establish and operationalize collaborative frameworks with national, regional, and international fisheries research institutions and organizations to ensure sustainable development of the sub sector.
• Provide quality assurance on advisory services relating to fish production.
• Build capacity of service providers on fish production
• Provide guidance and promote the use of improved fish fry and fisheries stocking materials and sustainable natural resources management.
• Conduct fisheries surveillance (fish aquaculture) in the country for the development of the fisheries industry.

Key Outputs

Policies, legislation, standards, plans and strategies on fish production and value addition formulated, reviewed, and implemented.

• Transfer of improved and appropriate fish production technologies to service providers, processors, traders, and consumers provided.
• Collaborative frameworks with national, regional, and international fisheries research institutions and organizations to ensure sustainable development of the sub sector established and operationalized.
• Quality assurance on advisory services relating to fish production provided.
• Capacity of service providers on fish production built.
• Guidance on and promotion of the use of improved fish fry and fisheries stocking materials and sustainable natural resources management provided.
• Fisheries surveillance (fish aquaculture) in the country for the development of the fisheries industry conducted.

Aquaculture Management Division

The division is headed by an Assistant Commissioner: 

Functions 

• Formulate, review, and implement policies, legislation, standards, plans and strategies for seed and feed development.
• Guide on the transfer of improved and appropriate seed and feed development technologies to service providers
• Establish and operationalize collaborative mechanisms with national, regional, and international fisheries research, institutions, and organizations for sustainable management of aquaculture.
• Provide quality assurance on advisory services on seed and feed development.
• Build capacity of service providers on seed and feed development
• Provide and support sustainable production of cultured fish species and fisheries stocking materials.

Key Components of the Department of Aquaculture Management and Development

Rivers and Streams:- Uganda's  extensive network of rivers and streams, plays a crucial role in supporting aquatic ecosystems and providing habitats for various fish species. Some of the significant rivers include: River Nile,  River Katongo, River Semliki, River Sezibwa, Kafu, River Katonga, River Turkwel , River Kagera, and the  White Nile

Aquatic Ecosystem Management: -  Manage and conserve these aquatic ecosystems to ensure sustainable fisheries production while preservingbiodiversity and ecosystem services.

Aquaculture Fish Farming Systems

1. Ponds: Earthen ponds are commonly used for aquaculture in Uganda. They are relatively inexpensive to construct and maintain, making them suitable for both small-scale and large-scale operations.

2. Cages: Floating cages placed in natural water bodies such as lakes and reservoirs are utilized for rearing fish. This system allows for controlled feeding and monitoring of fish growth while utilizing existing water resources.

3. Tanks: Concrete or plastic tanks are used for intensive fish farming, especially in urban areas or where land availability is limited. Tanks offer high control over environmental conditions and stocking densities.

4. Raceways: Concrete raceways are used in some larger aquaculture facilities for the rearing of fish, particularly for species that require flowing water conditions.

5. Integrated Aquaculture Systems: Some farms may employ integrated systems where fish farming is combined with other agricultural activities such as poultry or vegetable farming. This allows for the utilization of resources like water and nutrients more efficiently.

These systems vary in scale and complexity, and their adoption depends on factors such as available resources, investment capacity, environmental considerations, and market demand. The Directorate of Fisheries Resources Management promotes a combination of these systems based on the specific needs and circumstances of different regions and communities within Uganda.

DiFR further operates a Fisheries and Aquaculture Directory, accessible on the "Directory" menu of this website. This is a handy tool that enables all actors in the fisheries sector to access all relevant services in one place. The Directory includes locations, addresses and direct contacts of:-

- Boat Builders

- Landing Sites

- Boat Owners

- Fish Exporters and Processers

- Fish Farmers

- Fish Markets

- Fish Traders

- Fisheries Consultants

- Fisheries Organizations

- Fisheries Input Suppliers

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (NATURAL STOCKS)

The department is also headed by a commissioner.

Objective

To support sustainable exploitation of natural fisheries resources for fish and fish products.

Key Functions

• Formulate review, and implement policies, legislation, standards, plans and strategies for sustainable exploitation of natural fisheries resources.
• Monitor and evaluate production and productivity of the natural fisheries resources.
• Restock lakes and rivers with appropriate fish species and breeds.
• Provide guidance to Landing Site Fisheries Management Units (LSFMU) on monitoring control and surveillance activities.
• Provide guidance on the use of appropriate fish harvesting technologies and gears.
• Conduct periodic catch assessment and frame surveys and on trade in natural fish resources.
• Establish, operationalize and maintain an up-to-date national database on the natural fisheries.
• Control aquatic weeds
• Establish and operationalize collaborative mechanisms with national, regional, and international fisheries research, institutions and organizations for sustainable development of the fisheries sub sector.
• Provide quality assurance on advisory services for land and water culture systems.
• Build capacity at all levels for fisheries management and development.
• Establish and operationalize collaborative mechanisms with neighboring countries about management of trans -boundary fisheries resources.
• Identify and provide guidance on management of fish breeding and nursery areas.

Key Outputs

• Policies, legislation, standards, plans and strategies for sustainable exploitation of natural fisheries resources formulated, reviewed, and implemented.
• Production and productivity of the natural fisheries resources monitored and evaluated.
• Lakes and rivers restocked with appropriate fish species and breeds.
• Guidance to Landing Site Fisheries Management Units (LSFMU) on monitoring control and surveillance activities provided.
• Guidance on the use of appropriate fish harvesting technologies and gears provided.
• Periodic catch assessment and frame surveys and on trade in natural fish resources conducted.
• An up-to-date national database on the natural fisheries established, operationalized, and maintained.
• Aquatic weeds controlled.
• Collaborative mechanisms with national, regional, and international fisheries research, institutions, and organizations for sustainable development of the fisheries sub sector established and operationalized.
• Quality assurance on advisory services for land and water culture systems provided.
• Capacity at all levels for fisheries management and development built.
• Collaborative mechanisms with neighboring countries about management of trans -boundary fisheries resources established and operationalized and
• Guidance on management of fish breeding and nursery areas provided.

Resource Management Division

The division is headed by an Assistant Commissioner:

Functions 

• Formulate, review, and harmonize policies, legislation, standards, regulations, plans and strategies for sustainable exploitation of natural fisheries resources.
• Monitor productivity of the natural fisheries resources
• Restock lakes and rivers with appropriate fish species and breeds.
• Guide on the use of appropriate fish harvesting technologies and gears.
• Carry out periodic catch assessment, surveys, frame surveys and trade in natural fish resources.
• Establish, operationalize, and maintain a national database on the natural fisheries.
• Build capacity of MAAIF, Local Governments and other Stakeholders for sustainable fisheries resource management and development
• Establish and operationalize collaborative mechanisms with national, regional, and international fisheries research, institutions and organizations for sustainable and development.
• Provide quality assurance on advisory services for sustainable fisheries resource management and development.
• Establish and operationalize collaborative mechanisms with neighboring countries on management of trans -boundary fisheries resources.
• Identify and guide the management of fish breeding and nursery areas.

Co-Management Division

The division is headed by an Assistant Commissioner:

Functions

• Formulate, review, and harmonize policies, legislation, standards, regulations, strategies and plans for involvement of fishing communities, fish transporters and traders, fish processors and exporters and women artisans and traders, local market vendors in effective co management of natural fisheries resources.
• Guide and provide support to Landing Site Fisheries Management Units (LSFMU) in monitoring and surveillance activities.
• Create awareness on appropriate fish harvesting technologies and gears.
• Establish and operationalize collaborative mechanisms with national, regional and international institutions and organizations on co management of fisheries resources.
• Build capacity of MAAIF, Local Governments and other stakeholders for effective co-management of fisheries resources

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES CONTROL, REGULATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

The department is headed by a Commissioner

Objective

To formulate, review and enforce fisheries legislation, regulations and standards for fish production, capture fisheries and processing.

Key Functions

• Formulate, review, and implement fisheries policies, legislation, standards regulations, plans and strategies for the fisheries control, regulation and quality assurance.
• Develop and implement plans and strategies for enforcement of fisheries legislation, regulations and standards including Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) activities.
• Regulate and control all fishing activities on all public water bodies in the country.
• License, issue permits and control all fishing vessels and gears in all public water bodies including entry points.
• Create awareness on fisheries legislation, regulations and standards.
• Conduct risk analysis for import and export and internal fish and fisheries products movements in the country
• Inspect and certify fish and fisheries products for exports, imports and for local markets as well as vessels and vehicles used for transportation of fish and fisheries products.
• Train and gazette Fish Inspectors
• Establish and operationalize collaborative mechanisms with national, regional and international organisations on fisheries legislation and enforcement.
• Establish, operationalize and maintain laboratories for conducting the testing of fish and fishery products to support certification for quality and safety of fish and fishery products for the export and local market.

Key Outputs

• Fisheries policies, legislation, standards regulations, plans and strategies for the fisheries control, regulation and quality assurance formulated, reviewed, and implemented.
• Plans and strategies for enforcement of fisheries legislation, regulations and standards including Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) activities developed and implemented.
• All fishing activities on all public water bodies in the country regulated and controlled.
• All fishing vessels and gears in all public water bodies including entry points licensed, permitted and controlled.
• Awareness on fisheries legislation, regulations and standards created.
• Risk analysis for import and export and internal fish and fisheries products movements in the country conducted.
• Fish and fisheries products for exports, imports and for local markets as well as vessels and vehicles used for transportation of fish and fisheries products inspected and certified.
• Fish Inspectors trained and gazetted.
• Collaborative mechanisms with national, regional and international organisations on fisheries legislation and enforcement established and operationalized.
• Laboratories for conducting the testing of fish and fishery products to support certification for quality and safety of fish and fishery products for the export and local market established, operationalized and maintained.

Fisheries Regulation And Control Division

The division is headed by an Assistant Commissioner

 Functions

• Formulate review and implement fisheries policies, legislation, regulations standards, plans and strategies.
• Develop strategies and plans for enforcement of fisheries legislation, regulations and standards.
• Regulate fishing activities on public water bodies in the country.
• License and issue permit for fishing vessels and gears in public water bodies including entry points.
• Conduct risk analysis for fish and fisheries products for imports, exports and internal consumption
• Create awareness on fisheries legislation, regulations and standards.
• Inspect and certify fish and fisheries products exports, import and for local markets as well as vessels and vehicles used for transportation of fish and fisheries products.
• Train and gazette Fisheries Inspectors
• Establish and operationalize collaborative mechanisms with national, regional and international organizations on fisheries legislation and enforcement.

Fisheries Quality Assurance and Safety Division

The division is headed by an Assistant Commissioner:

Functions

• Formulate review, and implement fisheries policies, legislation, regulations, standards, plans and strategies.
• Develop plans and strategies for enforcement of fisheries legislation, regulations and standards on fish and fish product quality and safety.
• Create awareness on fisheries legislation, regulations and standards on fish/fish product quality and safety.
• Conduct Health and Safety Plan (HASP) activities for fisheries imports and exports and local markets.
• Train and gazette Fisheries Analysts
• Establish and operationalize collaborative mechanisms with national, regional and international organisations on fisheries quality assurance and safety.
• Establish, operationalize, maintain and accredit laboratories for conducting the testing of fish and fishery products to support certification for quality and safety of fish and fishery products for the export and local market.

Key Components of the Fisheries Departments (FRMD and FCRQA)

Fisheries Management:-  This involves regulating fishing activities, issuing licenses, implementing conservation measures, and monitoring fish populations to prevent overfishing and ensure the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.

Research and Monitoring:-   Conducting research and monitoring programs to assess the health of fish populations, study their habitats, and understand the impacts of environmental changes and human activities on fisheries resources.

Community Engagement and Development:-  Working with local communities dependent on fisheries for their livelihoods to promote sustainable fishing practices, provide training and capacity building, and support alternative income-generating activities.

Lake Systems:-  The Five major lake systems of Uganda, that is:- Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake Edward, and Lake George.

Inter-Boundary Lakes:-    Lake Victoria,  shared with Kenya and Tanzania and Lake Albert, which is shared with the Democratic Republic of Congo.