Uganda Deep Water Fish Cage Farming Case 

Location: Uganda

📍 Background

Uganda is home to Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in Africa, making it an ideal location for the development of deep water cage aquaculture. Declining wild fish stocks due to overfishing have prompted the government and private sector to invest in sustainable fish farming, especially offshore HDPE cage systems. These systems are designed to raise Nile Tilapia in clean, well-oxygenated water away from the heavily fished shoreline areas.

⚙️ System & Technology Highlights

FeatureDescription

Cage Type:Floating HDPE cages with knotless polyethylene nets

Cage Size:Circular or square cages with diameters up to 30 meters

Water DepthDeployed 300–1000 meters offshore in water ≥10 meters deep

Anchoring System:Multi-point mooring with wave-resistant floats and storm protection

Stocking Capacity:5,000–20,000 Nile tilapia per cage

Monitoring System:Equipped with water quality sensors, cameras, and automatic feeders

These systems allow for excellent water exchange, stable conditions, and secure containment even during stormy weather, ensuring both fish health and operator safety.

🐟 Farmed Species & Production Output

Main Species: Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Production Cycle: 4–6 months

Harvest Size: 0.8–1.2 kg per fish

Annual Output per Site: 200–2,000 tons, depending on scale

Nile Tilapia is chosen for its high growth rate, strong market demand, and resilience in cage environments. Fish are sold both locally and exported to neighboring countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.