Uganda’s aquaculture sector is rising — and June 2026 marks a defining moment.

From 25–28 June 2026, stakeholders from across the fish value chain will converge at the Aquaculture Research & Development Centre (ARDC), Kajjansi, for the Uganda Aquaculture Expo 2026, a national flagship event designed to accelerate market-oriented aquaculture research, unlock investment, and position aquaculture as a pillar of Uganda’s agro-industrialization and blue economy agenda

Why Aquaculture, Why Now?

Aquaculture has become one of Uganda’s fastest-growing agricultural sub-sectors. With capture fisheries under increasing pressure from overfishing, pollution, and climate stress, fish farming offers a sustainable pathway to food security, jobs, and inclusive economic growth.

• The sector contributes 2.6% to Uganda’s GDP and 12% to agricultural GDP
• Over 20,000 active fish farmers and 500 hatcheries are already operational nationwide
• National fish production has grown from 15,000 MT (2010) to 120,000 MT (2023)

Yet, major gaps remain: low productivity (3–5 MT/ha/year), heavy reliance on imported feed, post-harvest losses of up to 40%, and limited access to finance — especially for youth and women

What to Expect at the Uganda Aquaculture Expo 2026

Innovation & Technology Showcases

Live demonstrations of improved fish feeds, hatchery systems, water management solutions, cold-chain technologies, and digital tools for farm management.

Practical Training & Knowledge Exchange

Hands-on clinics, expert-led workshops, and technical panels translating research into actionable solutions for farmers and agribusinesses.

Markets, Finance & Investment

Direct engagement with processors, exporters, financial institutions, and insurers to unlock market access and tailored financing.

Youth & Women Enterprise Zones

Dedicated pitch spaces and mentorship platforms connecting youth- and women-led aquaculture businesses to investors and technical partners.

Fish Value Chain & Culinary Festival

From pond to plate — showcasing processing, packaging, value addition, and fish cuisine to stimulate consumer demand.

Policy Dialogue

Structured engagement with government, regulators, and development partners to strengthen the enabling environment for aquaculture growth.

Who Should Attend?

The Expo will host over 60,000 participants, including:

• Fish farmers, hatchery operators, and aquaculture entrepreneurs
• Input suppliers (feeds, equipment, technologies)
• Financial institutions and insurers
• Researchers and academic institutions
• Government MDAs including Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
• Development partners such as Food and Agriculture Organization, WorldFish, GIZ, Embassies
• Youth and women groups, students, media, and consumers

Event Details at a Glance

• Dates: Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 June 2026
• Venue: Aquaculture Research & Development Centre (ARDC), Kajjansi
• Format: Exhibitions, trainings, policy forums, business pitches, and fish festival
• Languages: English and local languages

The Uganda Aquaculture Expo 2026 is more than an event — it is a national call to action to transform aquaculture into a competitive, inclusive, and resilient industry.