Kenya Senators Seek Stronger Cooperation in Managing Shared Water Resources With Uganda

Kajjansi, Uganda, October 30, 2025 — The Chairperson of Kenya’s Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Senator David Wakoli Wafula, has called for enhanced regional collaboration between Kenya and Uganda in managing shared water resources to ensure sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development.

Senator Wakoli made the remarks during an official visit to the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), where his delegation toured the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) Aquaculture Centre at Kajjansi. The visit sought to strengthen cross-border cooperation in research, innovation, and policy formulation within the agricultural sector.

The Senator noted that fishing remains a lucrative enterprise for both countries but faces increasing threats such as water pollution and poor resource management. He emphasized the need for joint action to sustainably manage shared water bodies like Lake Victoria.

“We are here to listen and share experiences — what our neighbours are doing that we might not be doing, and what we are doing that you may not,” Senator Wakoli said. “Collaboration will ensure that both countries learn from each other and improve together for the benefit of our people.”

He highlighted Kenya’s reforms in fisheries governance, including transforming beach management units into cooperatives, which has empowered fishermen and promoted responsible fishing practices. County governments, he said, continue to support these cooperatives through investments in cage farming and financing the acquisition of small fishing boats.

The Senator revealed that three weeks prior to his visit to Uganda, his committee held consultations with local leaders and fisher communities in Busia County, identifying key challenges affecting the sector. The engagements, he noted, provided valuable insights that could inform joint policy actions between Kenya and Uganda.

Senator Wakoli lauded Uganda’s progress in fisheries research and innovation, citing the NARO-developed fish smoking kiln and locally produced fish feeds as impressive technologies that could be adopted in Kenya.

“I have visited several facilities in Kenya, but I am impressed by the capacity here in Uganda,” he said. “Your labs are well-equipped, and the fish kiln is an excellent innovation. I will encourage our business people to source fish feeds from Uganda and bring farmers for training here.”

He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to fast-track bilateral discussions aimed at boosting agricultural trade and knowledge exchange, adding that the visit was part of wider efforts to ensure public investments deliver value for money in the agricultural sector.

During the visit, Dr. Winnie Nalukenge Nkalubo, Director of Research at NaFIRRI, presented an overview of Uganda’s fisheries landscape. She noted that NaFIRRI, originally established in 1947 as the East African Fisheries Organisation (EAFO), is the birthplace of fisheries research in East Africa and is today recognized by the African Union as a Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries Research.

Uganda’s annual fish production currently stands at 650,000 tonnes, with capture fisheries contributing 81.5% and aquaculture 18.5%. The sector generates approximately UGX 442 billion in revenue and earns about USD 177 million in exports, employing around 1.5 million Ugandans.

Dr. Nalukenge outlined NARO’s ongoing innovations, including:

• Development of faster-growing Nile tilapia strains and improved African catfish broodstock.
• Establishment of the Masese Fish Aquapark in Jinja, which produces 60 tonnes of fish annually valued at UGX 500 million.
• Introduction of insect-based floating fish feeds, bio-based products for fish disease control, and feed formulas derived from local crops.
• Deployment of digital tools such as the Freshwater Biodiversity Portal and electronic Catch Assessment Survey (e-CAS) for improved data management.

She noted that these initiatives align with Uganda’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (2018), which targets increasing fish production to 1.7 million tonnes annually to boost food security and economic growth.

Representing the NARO Director General, Dr. Stevens Kisaka, Director of Corporate Services, commended the Kenyan delegation for its commitment to regional collaboration. He cited ongoing partnerships, including Uganda’s importation of 100 parent-stock dairy cows from Kenya to establish the National Dairy Centre of Excellence in Mbarara.

“The problems and challenges we face in agriculture don’t know borders,” Dr. Kisaka said. “That necessitates joint planning, coordinated research, and shared strategies.”

Both sides agreed to engage through structured platforms to deepen institutional linkages, strengthen research collaboration, and enhance trade relations in agriculture and fisheries to bring tangible benefits to communities in both countries.