Abstract:

Most fish in Uganda comes from lakes Victoria, Albert, Kyoga, Edward, George, about 160
minor lakes and rivers. Fish production of most lakes in Uganda has changed considerably
since development of most of the fisheries started during the first half of the 20th century.
Analysis of the changes that have taken place in these fisheries provides useful information on
the potential and management issues associated with fisheries in Uganda.
Total national fish catch statistics are not available for the period prior to 1960. The trends in
total fish production from the different water bodies between 1961 and 1995 are illustrated in
Figure 3. Total fish catches were 60,000 to 71,000 metric tonnes between 1961 and 1965 and
increased after 1965 reaching a peak of245,000 metric tonnes in 1990. The increase from 1965
to the late 1970s followed establishment of introduced Nile perch and Tilapiines to Lake Kyoga
which reached a peak in 1978 and then declined. The second peak followed establishment of
the same introduced species in Lake Victoria. This too peaked in 1990 after which catches
declined.