By John Kusolo
Uganda's Minister of State for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa, presided over the official closure of the Responsible Fisheries Business Chains Project (RFBCP), implemented in Uganda in collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries. The RFBCP, an initiative of the German government, was spearheaded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) with the primary aim of enhancing sustainable fisheries management and improving livelihoods within Uganda's fishing communities.
During her remarks, Hon. Adoa expressed her gratitude to the German Federal Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) for their invaluable support to Uganda’s fisheries sector. She emphasized the far-reaching impact of the RFBCP on food security, fisheries governance, and the socio-economic conditions of Uganda’s fishing communities.
RFBCP: A Catalyst for Change in Uganda’s Fisheries Sector
The RFBCP was introduced to address several challenges facing Uganda's fisheries sector, particularly the issues of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, which have significantly affected fish stocks in Uganda’s waters, including Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, and other key bodies of water. The project was built around creating responsible fisheries business chains that promote sustainability while ensuring improved economic returns for those involved in the sector.
Through the RFBCP, GIZ and its partners worked closely with various stakeholders, including local governments, fisheries cooperatives, and community-based organizations, to tackle food insecurity by promoting sustainable practices and increasing the resilience of Uganda’s fishing communities. The project adopted a multi-faceted approach, with interventions in capacity building, fisheries management, and creating market linkages for fish products.
*Promoting Sustainable Fisheries Management*
One of the primary objectives of the RFBCP was to promote sustainable fisheries management practices that protect fish stocks and ensure long-term productivity. To achieve this, the project introduced measures that encouraged responsible fishing practices, compliance with fisheries regulations, and the prevention of illegal fishing methods.
Training programs were rolled out across key fishing regions, equipping local fishers with knowledge on the importance of adhering to sustainable fishing guidelines, the need to respect fishing zones, and the benefits of protecting juvenile fish species to ensure the regeneration of fish populations. The project also worked hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies to crack down on IUU activities, thus promoting the integrity of Uganda’s fishery resources.
Hon. Adoa acknowledged the significant strides the RFBCP made in improving the livelihoods of Uganda’s fishing communities. Fishing is a critical economic activity in Uganda, employing over 1.5 million people, and contributing significantly to both national food security and export revenues. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited access to modern fishing gear, and fluctuating fish stocks due to overfishing and environmental degradation.
The RFBCP introduced several interventions aimed at addressing these challenges, such as establishing savings and credit cooperatives for fishers, promoting value addition to fish products, and improving access to international markets. The project also prioritized enhancing the social and economic well-being of fishing communities, empowering them to take a leading role in managing local fisheries and ensuring the sustainability of their livelihoods.
By supporting the formation of cooperatives and improving access to financial services, the project empowered fishers to invest in better fishing equipment, enhance processing and storage facilities, and reduce post-harvest losses. These interventions have had a direct impact on reducing poverty levels within fishing communities and boosting their resilience to external shocks such as fluctuating market prices and environmental changes.
The success of the RFBCP would not have been possible without the strong partnership between GIZ and Uganda’s Directorate of Fisheries. Together, they implemented various strategies to streamline the fisheries value chain, ensuring that sustainable practices were adopted at every stage—from fish harvesting to processing and marketing. The Directorate of Fisheries played a crucial role in monitoring compliance, enforcing regulations, and educating fishers on sustainable practices.
The collaboration also extended to working with other stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, academia, and regional bodies involved in transboundary fisheries management, ensuring that Uganda’s fisheries sector remained aligned with global best practices.
As the RFBCP draws to a close, Hon. Adoa expressed optimism about the future of Uganda’s fisheries sector. She noted that the lessons learned and the systems put in place through the project would have a lasting impact on the country’s efforts to combat illegal fishing, improve food security, and enhance the livelihoods of fishing communities.
She further stressed the need for continued investment in the sector, calling on both local and international partners to build on the successes of the RFBCP. With improved management practices, stronger enforcement of regulations, and the empowerment of fishing communities, Uganda is well-positioned to maintain sustainable fish stocks and increase its contribution to regional and international markets.
In conclusion, Hon. Adoa reiterated her deep appreciation to the German Federal Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation and GIZ for their unwavering support and commitment to improving Uganda’s fisheries sector. She assured stakeholders of the Ugandan government’s continued dedication to promoting sustainable fisheries management, ensuring that the sector remains a vital pillar of Uganda’s economic growth and development.
The closure of the RFBCP marks the end of an era but also signifies the beginning of a new chapter for Uganda’s fisheries sector. The project has laid a strong foundation for sustainable fisheries practices, and its impact will continue to be felt by fishers, processors, and traders in Uganda for years to come. As the country looks to the future, the importance of maintaining responsible fisheries business chains and protecting the integrity of Uganda’s water bodies remains paramount.
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