1. Uganda, which is about the size of Britain, has 17% of its surface covered by fresh water lakes, rivers and swamps. The fishing industry is centred on the large freshwater lakes of Victoria, Kyoga and Albert. These three lakes together supply over 90% of the fish caught in Uganda.
There are smaller waters such as Lakes Edward, George, the Kazinga channel, the Albert Nile and other smaller lakes, rivers and swamps which all contribute to the fish catch.

2. About 350 species of fish exist in these waters. The most common include: Nile perch, tilapia, catfish, lungfish and happlochromis ('mukene'). There are other prized species like 'kisinja' and 'nkejje' and a few other rare ones mostly found in Lake Victoria.
Fishing is an all year round activity. October to March is the peak season, while the waters become rough in June/July with the changing rainy weather often leading to the use of sheltered bays for fishing.

The fishermen use both traditional and modern fishing methods. Hooks, nets, spears, baskets, and lamps are all used to catch fish.

3. Previously, most of the fish caught was for subsistence consumption although commercial fish exploitation has become a very important economic activity in the last few years. Fish now form the fourth most important export and are doing better than any one of the traditional agricultural products.
Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fresh and frozen or processed fish are exported each year to Europe. Fishing has increasingly become a big employer in Uganda due to the numerous fish processing plants and related activities.
A lot of people are employed by big companies to go out fishing in the lakes, while numerous others are employed to clean, carry, pack, load and to transport the fish. Many local fishermen also benefit by selling their catch to the processors.
Several commercial fish farms have now been established along the shores of Lake Victoria to meet the growing demand for fresh fish.

Problems facing the industry:

· Lack of processing facilities and refrigerated transport.
· Lack of a local market; the European Union is the largest market.
· Lack of money to buy better gear and equipment like boats, engines and the correct size nets.
· Over fishing of young fish which threatens the future of the fish stocks.
· Theft of fishing equipment.
· Frequent marine accidents due to bad weather or animals like hippopotamuses and crocodiles.
· Poor road network between fish landings and the markets.
· Fish poisoning in some areas from industrial waste.
· Waterweed infestation on some lakes.
· Competition from other countries like Kenya, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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