Abstract:

Uganda is rated number 6 among the fastest growing developing countries economically (at a rate of GDP growth of 6.0% annually). Fish has moved up to number 2-export commodity to coffee, which is number 1 in foreign exchange earning. Fish fetched US$49m in 1996. The country's Total Annual catches amount to 220,000 - 250,000 metric tons and this is estimated at US$ 100m. Lakes Victoria and Kyoga have been contributing together abcut 85% of the country's fish catches, and L. Victoria alone, 49.5% (or approximately 50% of the Total catch). Uganda is endowed with a generous climate and fertile soil, with agriculture contributing 60% of GDP, and 64% of Government revenue and over 90% of exports. Eighty seven percent of the population is rural, 80% of which is directly or indirectly engaged in agriculture. Agriculture (including fisheries) is also very important in the non-monetary sector where many of the poorer rural groups are represented. The fishery sin-sector involves about one million people in direct and indirect employment.