By Mike Rwothomio 

In a transformative push for sustainable livelihoods, Caritas Nebbi Catholic Diocese is championing fish farming initiatives to uplift smallholder farmers in Uganda’s Greater Nebbi sub-region.

Caritas Nebbi’s Food , income and livelihood Program II, targeting Nebbi, Zombo, and Pakwach districts, is fostering a vibrant aquaculture landscape, empowering communities, and redefining livelihoods in the Greater Nebbi sub-region.

A standout example is the Can Yabu Yoo group in Pavur Village, Serr Parish, Abanga Sub-County, Zombo District, whose name in Alur dialect translates to “Poverty can open ways.”

Formed in 2024, this 30-member group has ventured into aquaculture, savings, and other agricultural enterprises, supported by Caritas’ five-year Food, Income, and Livelihood Programme (FILP) II (2023–2027).

The group’s fish pond, stocked with catfish fingerlings in May 2025, underwent a robust water quality assessment on August 28, 2025, led by Caritas Nebbi officials. 

Moureen Willembe, a field officer with Caritas overseeing the project in Abanga Sub-County, reported positive progress in fish farming across Abanga, Kango in Zombo, and Acana in Nebbi.

“We’re thrilled to see fish farming thriving. The Can Yabu Yoo group’s pond is on track for harvest in November 2025,” Willembe told reporters at the site.

Uganda’s aquaculture sector, the second largest in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria, produced 103,700 tonnes in 2019, with Nile tilapia (69%) and catfish (30%) dominating, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Despite this, the sector faces challenges like limited access to quality fingerlings, inadequate financial support, and fish disease management. 

Willembe emphasized the need for maximum support for farmers, particularly during the November harvest and market phase. 

“These farmers need backing to sell their fish successfully,” she urged.

Caritas’ initiative is shifting local perceptions in Zombo and Nebbi’s upper belt, traditionally skeptical of fish farming’s viability compared to Pakwach’s lower belt. 

“Our people now see they can thrive in aquaculture, as evidenced by projects in various areas,” Willembe noted.

The program includes training selected farmers, like Justine Oryem of Can Yabu Yoo, as trainers of trainees to spread expertise.

Oryem praised the group’s unity and readiness to share knowledge. “Our 30 members are committed to this pond, and we’re prepared to train others to expand fish farming,” he said.

The initiative aligns with Uganda’s poverty alleviation programs like Emyooga and Parish Development Model (PDM).

In Zombo, the Okoro Constituency Emyooga Fish Farmers SACCO in Paidha Sub-County projects annual proceeds exceeding UGX 50 million from their pond, funded by Government's Emyooga program.

Caritas’ efforts complement these government programs, aiming to boost food security, income, and climate resilience.

Oryem called for more trainers and extension services from Zombo’s fisheries department to scale up production.

In 2019, 153,000 Ugandans were engaged in fisheries and aquaculture, with 28,236 in fish farming. Uganda’s fish exports, primarily Nile perch fillets to Europe, were valued at USD 147 million in 2019, underscoring the sector’s economic potential.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot informations