Abstract:

The Kyoga Complex is composed of two large lakes (Kyoga and Kwania), which are well studied compared and more than 30 smaller lakes which are less studied. Between 1963 and 1989, the Department of Fisheries Resources (DFR) regularly updated the annual fish catches from lakes Kyoga and Kwania. In 2006, NaFIRRI made an adhoc catch estimates of lakes Kyoga, Kwania and Nakuwa. This was followed by subsequent catch estimates in 2008, 2009 2013/14 and currently in 2023. These efforts enabled estimation of fish catch rates, annual catches, and gross revenue from landings of the Lake Kyoga Complex to guide fisheries development and management. These lakes support majorly six commercial fishes including: Nile perch, Mukene, Tilapias, African catfish, Lungfish and Haplochromines (Nkejje), among others. There was a general increase in the catches and annual beach revenue from the Kyoga basin lakes. Particularly, the overall catch estimates from the Lake Kyoga basin were 106,000 tons in 2023, which increased from an estimate of ca. 76,000 tons in 2013 and 43,300 tons in 2008/09. The values were 452 bn Ugx in 2023, and 169.4 bn in 2013/14 and 48.9 bn in 2008/09.
For Lake Kyoga, the catches were 60,612 tons, estimated at 318.6 bn Ugx while for Kwania, the catches were 12,817 tons worth 58.7 bn. Over the years, the catches and beach value from the smaller lakes have also increased. For instance, the catches in 2023 was 21,681 tons which increased from 19,000 tons in 2013/14 and 1,600 tons 2008/09. Similarly, the beach revenue has increased over the decade (i.e., from 1.4 bn in 2008/09, to 34 bn in 2013/14 and 79.4 bn in 2023 CAS. These catches have been relative co-dominance between Tilapias and Nile perch, followed by Mukene, the African catfish, the Lungfish. The revenue was highest from Nile perch followed by Tilapias, the African catfish, and Lungfish. On the other hand, Mukene fetched low beach revenue despite large contribution to the catches. Therefore, there is need for improved handling and processing facilities for value addition. In comparison with the previous CAS, the key commercial species in the fisheries of Lake Kyoga basin have not changed over time despite the observed trends in the catches and beach annual revenue. The results show that there has been significant increase in the catches and annual revenue. However, these catches were either in prohibited boats (dugout and parachute boats) using or acceptable boats using illegal gears and operations such as cast nets, boat seins, monofilaments and under sized gears (hooks and gillnets). Therefore, there should be strict management measures to eliminate the illegal fishing gears and operations. We recommend validation of these CAS results with the key stakeholders and mangers and encourage dissemination of the results to the wider audience including the fisher communities. Furthermore, future should adopt eCAS to reduce on the time frame on data collection to reporting and determine fisheries reference points for Lake Kyoga complex.