Abstract:
The fishing industry is very important to the Ugandan economy and is the most important non-traditional agricultural export commodity. The fishery contributes (5% to 12%) to GDP. Fish generates about Ug.Shs 442 billion annually at the landings, and over 100 million US$ in regional and international exports. Uganda has the capacity to produce at least 400,000 metric tones of fish annually from capture fisheries. The maximum catch was estimated by NaFIRRI in 2008 at 330,000 metric tones but should be higher as the production from many lakes is not well documented. The fishery employs about 136,000 artisanal fishermen and over 700,000 people are involved in activities along the production and marketing chain.