The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) has announced plans to strengthen Uganda’s fisheries and agricultural sectors, focusing on sustainability, transparency, and improved services for farmers and fishing communities.
Speaking to district leaders during the ongoing MAAIF meeting at Imperial Royale Hotel on October 8th, 2026, the Minister of State for Fisheries, Robert Ndugwa Migadde, said Uganda must protect its fisheries resources because they provide livelihoods and income to thousands of people.
Migadde said the new implementing regulations for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act are complete and will be presented to Cabinet after stakeholder consultations.
The government also plans to introduce community-led fisheries management, involving local landing communities in decisions about the resource. The Ministry will review boat registration and licensing systems to address complaints about unfairness, complexity and lack of transparency.
The Minister noted that future enforcement would place greater emphasis on community education and compliance rather than arrests alone. However, he warned against harvesting immature fish, saying uncontrolled fishing threatens future fish stocks and the livelihoods of fishing communities.
The government will also adopt targeted enforcement, focusing on specific non-compliant landing sites instead of imposing broad fishing bans. Better management of the sector is expected to increase national revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
Meanwhile, MIAAF Cabinet Minister Frank Tumwebaze raised concerns about the failure of agricultural extension workers to adequately reach farmers despite increased staffing, transport and facilitation. He called for greater accountability to ensure government-supported services directly benefit farmers.
On Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), the State Minister for Animal Industry, Dr. Bright Rwamirama Kanyontore reminded district leaders and veterinary officers that vaccination of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats is mandatory and conducted twice a year—in January-February and July-August.
Farmers are required to pay UGX 8,000 per vaccinated cattle or pig andUGX 4,000 per sheep or goat. Payments must be made through designated bank channels or approved mobile-money codes rather than to individual veterinarians.
The reforms are intended to improve agricultural productivity, protect livelihoods, strengthen disease control, and increase the contribution of agriculture and fisheries to Uganda’s economy.
