Uganda’s aquaculture sector—key to Sub-Saharan Africa’s 11% annual growth—has expanded rapidly, from 800 tons in 2006 to over 123,000 tons in 2020. This growth is driven by declining wild fish stocks and increasing demand. With abundant water resources and favorable conditions, Uganda primarily relies on pond and cage farming systems. This study evaluated the productivity, profitability, and investment potential of these systems, offering evidence-based strategies for sustainable aquaculture development in Uganda and the broader region.
Using a mixed-method approach, we examined small- and medium-scale farms operating for at least five years, selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The analysis focused on Nile tilapia production, comparing productivity indicators, cost structures, and economic returns between pond and Low Volume High Density (LVHD) cage systems, while integrating regional trends for broader relevance.
The findings reveal significant differences: ponds yielded 0.63 kg/m³ with a profit of USD 0.17/kg, whereas cages produced 27 kg/m³ with USD 1.20/kg profit.
Cages also supported faster production cycles (two per year vs. one), higher biomass, and lower variable costs (USD 1.10/kg vs. USD 2.10/kg). However, fingerling production in ponds generated the highest revenue (USD 256.60/m³), far outperforming grow-out ponds (USD 1.45/m³) and cages (USD 61.87/m³). Market prices stabilized after 2016, enhancing the resilience of cage farming and the attractiveness of fingerling production.
The study recommends a dual investment strategy: utilize ponds for fingerling production and LVHD cages for grow-out operations. This integrated approach maximizes profitability and sustainability, offering a scalable model for aquaculture growth in Uganda and across Sub-Saharan Africa.