The Government of Uganda, through State House and the Office of the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilization, has facilitated a benchmark study visit for 60 model farmers from the Busoga Sub-region to Kenya as part of ongoing efforts to promote wealth creation and sustainable household incomes.
The three-day study tour, conducted from May 23, 2026, took the farmers to Fish Farm Paradise and Resort in Kamulu, Machakos County, near Nairobi City. The facility is recognized for its successful integration of fish farming, dairy farming, aquaculture technologies, and agritourism.
The initiative forms part of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s long-term strategy to transform livelihoods in Busoga by encouraging farmers to embrace profitable agricultural enterprises beyond traditional sugarcane cultivation. The President has consistently advocated for diversification into fish farming, poultry production, dairy farming, cocoa growing, and other high-value agricultural ventures capable of generating sustainable incomes for households.
Speaking during the study visit, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Poverty Alleviation in Busoga, Hon. Florence Mutyabule, who led the delegation on behalf of the Special Presidential Assistant on Press and Mobilization and Deputy Press Secretary to the President, Haji Faruk Kirunda, commended State House for organizing the benchmark study.
She noted that the program comes at a critical time when Busoga is seeking viable alternatives to sugarcane farming, fishing on natural water bodies, and rice cultivation in wetlands.
Hon. Mutyabule emphasized that President Museveni has consistently encouraged communities to utilize wetlands responsibly by engaging in fish farming around wetland peripheries, a practice that simultaneously supports wealth creation and environmental conservation.
She observed that Busoga possesses immense potential for fish farming due to its proximity to major water bodies, including Lake Victoria, and urged farmers to take advantage of the available natural resources to expand aquaculture enterprises.
The delegation also commended the proprietor of Fish Farm Paradise and Resort for effectively transforming wetland resources into a thriving business enterprise comprising fish hatcheries, fish ponds, and hospitality facilities. Hon. Mutyabule noted that such integrated investments demonstrate how communities can generate substantial income while creating employment opportunities.
She further encouraged the establishment of fish holding and aggregation centers in Busoga to strengthen market access and enhance the profitability of fish farming across the region.
Hon. Mutyabule challenged the participating model farmers to become ambassadors of transformation in their respective districts by sharing the knowledge and skills acquired during the study tour and applying them to improve agricultural productivity and household incomes.
During the training sessions, the Chief Executive Officer of the Aquaculture Association of Kenya, Mr. Stanley Mworia, introduced the delegation to modern fish farming technologies and best aquaculture practices aimed at improving production efficiency.
Mr. Mworia explained that the farm operates modern hatcheries and fish ponds capable of accommodating thousands of fish, supported by advanced management systems that ensure optimal productivity.
He also showcased the facility’s fish holding tanks, which are powered through integrated energy systems comprising electricity, solar power, and backup generators. The holding tanks allow farmers to preserve mature fish while waiting for favorable market conditions, reducing losses and improving profitability.
According to Mr. Mworia, the facility currently has the capacity to produce up to 500,000 fish per month, making it one of the leading aquaculture enterprises in the region.
Addressing challenges faced by fish farmers, he called upon East African governments to consider tax exemptions on key feed ingredients in order to reduce production costs and make aquaculture more competitive.
The participating farmers expressed appreciation to President Museveni and State House for creating opportunities that expose them to successful agricultural models and modern farming technologies.
Mr. Jacob Kazindura, a model farmer from Jinja, said the study tour had equipped him with valuable knowledge on fish and dairy farming, including water recycling systems, fish management techniques, and the production of cost-effective fish feeds.
Similarly, Ms. Mary Immaculate Abwooli, a fish farmer from Namutumba District, described the benchmark study as timely and highly beneficial. She called upon fish farmers in Busoga to establish cooperative associations that would enable them to aggregate their products, strengthen their bargaining power, and improve access to markets.
She also emphasized the importance of adopting modern technologies to increase fish productivity and profitability.
Mr. Magala Samuel Ngobi, a model farmer from Luuka District, expressed gratitude to President Museveni and State House for supporting agricultural transformation initiatives in the region. He noted that while many farmers possess the willingness and capacity to establish modern fish farming enterprises, access to affordable financing remains a key challenge.
He, however, expressed confidence that the knowledge acquired during the benchmark study would help participating farmers improve their agricultural enterprises and contribute to the broader goal of poverty eradication in Busoga.
The benchmark study reflects President Museveni’s continued commitment to empowering communities through skills transfer, knowledge sharing, and promotion of modern agricultural practices aimed at increasing productivity, creating jobs, and improving household incomes across Uganda.