Aquaculture is among the fastest-growing food-producing sectors globally, offering vital sources of employment and livelihoods. The intensification of aquaculture has led to a compound annual growth rate of 15.55% on the continent. Despite producing over 100,000 metric tonnes, aquaculture still holds significant potential to help offset the decline in capture fisheries in Uganda. The sector contributes approximately 3% to the national GDP and supports the livelihoods of over 1.7 million people. Despite its significance, the aquaculture subsector faces numerous challenges, including low-quality feed and seed, disease outbreaks, inadequate extension services, post-harvest losses, weak marketing systems, and the absence of food safety guidelines. For aquaculture to achieve sustainable growth and deliver economic benefits, clearly defined food safety standards are essential. The lack of an official aquaculture food safety guideline significantly limits the marketability and competitiveness of aquaculture products.
Aquaculture products are currently marketed despite issues such as pests, diseases, and antibiotic residues originating from feed and the environment. In the absence of clearly defined protocols and guidelines to identify and address these challenges, aquaculture products are unable to access high-value markets like the EU and Middle East, resulting in diminished economic returns for the sector.This study highlights the critical need to establish national aquaculture food safety guidelines in order to broaden market access and boost revenue from aquaculture products.