The Minister of State for Fisheries, Honorable Hellen Adoa handed over the proposed site for construction of Mwena Aquaculture Park site worth 10 million Euros to Engpro International, a local Engineering Company in Uganda for Fish Cage Farming.
While handing over the site to the contractor at Mwena landing site in Kalangala District in March this year, Hon. Adoa noted that the project will help boost the fish harvests in the Country and create employment opportunities for both women and youths. She added that the Project will be implemented under the ‘Promoting Environmentally Sustainable Commercial Aqua-Culture’ (PESCA) aimed at enhancing Aquaculture Development and Management in Uganda.
The Project which will serve both Apac and Kalangala Districts in pond and cage farming respectively will accommodate 81 Fish ponds, an Office block, a feeds store, a Hatchery for Nile perch and Catfish with a capacity of producing 5 million fingerlings annually and road works construction.
Hon. Adoa cautioned the contractors not to introduce foreign fish species in the Ugandan waters and desist from engaging in indecent behavior that may end up producing fatherless children to Kalangala community.
Joyce Ikwaput Nyeko, the Commissioner Aqua Culture Development and Management at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries revealed that a feasibility study was conducted in 2012 with support from the European Union and has a gender balance complaint multiplier effect in the Social Economic transformation of the population and the country. Nyeko noted that compensation to land owners was successfully done and commended the communities for efforts so far taken that has seen tremendous developments in the area. “l see construction of commercial and residential houses in Kalangala and this is part of the expected transformation in the place” Nyeko added.
On behalf of Engpro International, Eng. Ben Owilli Oyumu the Project Engineer pledged total commitment in transferring knowledge to local community and promised to engage the local community for labour and adherence to the contractual terms.
