9 ROLES PLAYED BY THE FISHING INDUSTRY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF UGANDA

Fish is source of food as animal and human proteins. Silver fish from L. George and Albert is used as poultry feed and this has supported poultry farming thus more incomes to farmers.

It earns Uganda foreign exchange through the exportation of fish and fish products especially Nile perch from L. Victoria to EU countries and Middle East countries. Such income is used to establish important infrastructure like roads and health units.
The industry provides employment opportunities for the local people especially to un-educated youth like at Kasensero and Lwampanga fish landing sites. These are boat makers, fishermen, mongers and exporters as well as processors like in Ngege limited thus improved standards of living.
Fish provide valuable products such as cooking oil, fertilizers, and cosmetics which leads to industrial development. Companies like Hwang Sung, Uganda Marine products exist due to the fishing sector. Such companies are source of jobs and income thus high standards of living to Ugandans

The industry facilitates the development of important infrastructure such as roads like a road from Lambu in Bukakata to transport fish to Masaka town, health units like Kasenyi health centre on L. Victoria, and these have improved on people’s living standards.
It has led to diversification of the economy of Uganda from over depending on agriculture. Many Ugandans especially un-educated have been employed like at Buvuma, Katunguru, Masese, reducing pressure on land as well as incomes and foreign exchange from fish exports.
It has led to establishment and development of ports on the fishing grounds; these include Lwampanga on L. Kyoga, Butiaba and Wanseko on L. Albert, and others on L. Victoria. Such ports have been used to develop trade and international relationship.

Through licenses given to fishing companies like Ngenge Limited, Greenfields, Four Square, taxes from fishermen and mongers, the Uganda government has earned lot of revenue and used it to set up important infrastructure like roads, health units, etc.

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