De Heus, Enabel partner to bolster Uganda’s fish industry

UGANDA – De Heus Uganda has partnered with Enabel, the Belgian development agency, to strengthen the fish value chain in the Busoga region and beyond. 

Announced this month, the partnership blends De Heus’s aquaculture expertise with Enabel’s mission for sustainable development, aiming to tackle persistent sector challenges while uplifting local communities.

At the heart of this collaboration is a shared commitment to sustainability, innovation, and economic empowerment. 

The initiative is built around five core pillars: establishing efficient outgrower schemes for sourcing raw materials, providing training and job opportunities for youth, researching alternative protein sources for fish feed, promoting green practices in feed production, and strengthening small and medium-sized fish producers.

Enabel, which manages around 190 projects across 20 countries, brings its development expertise to the table.

“This powerful collaboration blends our aquaculture expertise with Enabel’s mission for sustainable development,” De Heus Uganda said in a LinkedIn post. 

The partnership also complements Enabel’s ongoing work in reviewing Uganda’s Fisheries and Aquaculture regulations, a crucial step toward sustainable fishery management.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Uganda’s aquaculture sector has evolved into a significant component of the country’s fisheries industry. 

The nation’s favourable topography, characterised by abundant water bodies and permanent streams, provides excellent opportunities for fish farming. 

Currently, Uganda boasts over 10,000 fish ponds, primarily small-scale, with potential production levels ranging from 1,200 to 2,300 kg per hectare annually. 

De Heus Jinja plant nears completion 

Meanwhile, De Heus’s new aquafeed plant under construction in Njeru, Jinja, is nearing completion. Once completed in the first half of 2025, the state-of-the-art facility will produce up to 50,000 metric tons of fish feed annually, serving Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. 

The factory is expected to create jobs and stimulate demand for locally sourced ingredients such as maize, cassava, and soy.

According to the company, its mission extends beyond simply producing fish feed and is about building an ecosystem that supports farmers, creates employment opportunities, and promotes inclusive economic development.

In parallel, De Heus has opened dedicated aqua feed shops in Jinja and Hoima in the recent past, allowing farmers easier access to high-quality feed. 

These outlets are supported by on-farm visits and aquaculture seminars that provide essential training on feed optimisation and water quality management.

By focusing on tilapia, a key species in the region, De Heus ensures its feed formulations meet specific nutritional needs throughout the fish’s lifecycle, enabling better yields and profitability for farmers.

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