Uganda’s aquaculture sector has received a major boost following the commissioning of Masheda Foods Ltd Processing Factory, a state-of-the-art catfish processing plant located in Buyala along Mityana Road.
The factory, which integrates modern technology and advanced production systems, is expected to significantly increase fish processing for both domestic consumption and export, further positioning Uganda as a competitive player in the regional and global aquaculture markets.
The commissioning was presided over by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), Ramathan Ggoobi, who praised the proprietors of Masheda Foods for their contribution to the country’s economic transformation through value addition and job creation.
The PSST said the establishment of the factory aligns with Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy under the Agro-industrialization pillar of the ATMS (Agro-industrialization, Tourism, Minerals, and Science & Technology) priority sectors.
“We are celebrating a profound moment, opening this facility marks a new chapter for Uganda’s aquaculture sector under one of the four pillars of our ATMS. The factory is contributing to the fish value chain and taking Uganda’s quality and finest catfish to the regional and global markets in Kinshasa, Nairobi, and London,” Ggoobi said.
Ggoobi emphasized that the government is committed to supporting private sector-led growth in the aquaculture industry, citing its potential to create jobs, expand exports, and drive industrial development. He noted that the facility’s role in adding value to catfish and diversifying fish products is critical to achieving the government’s long-term economic goals.
“This is very important for us as a country, and the Ministry shall support this factory to scale up market access and the desired technology to achieve our dream of a USD 500 billion economy by 2040,” Ggoobi added.
Government Support to Strengthen the Aquaculture Value Chain
The government, through the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), has also allocated funding to begin the construction of a dedicated fish feeds factory.
The initiative aims to address the high cost of imported fish feeds, which has long been a challenge for local fish farmers and processors,” Ggoobi explained
According to him, supporting the development of local feed production will reduce production costs, improve profitability for farmers, and increase Uganda’s competitiveness in the regional and international aquaculture markets.
Masheda Foods’ Contribution to Sector Growth
The Executive Director of Masheda Foods Ltd, Anne Ampumuza, highlighted the rapid growth of Uganda’s aquaculture industry and the company’s role in driving that transformation.
She revealed that the sector has expanded from producing just 2,000 tonnes in the early 2000s to more than 120,000 tonnes today, contributing about 20% of the country’s total fish production.
“The aquaculture industry is growing rapidly in Uganda, and we are proud to be part of this journey. We have invested in modern technology and machines to ensure hygiene, speed, and traceability. The factory is part of a bigger system that connects farmers, drivers, packers, and traders to strengthen the entire value chain,” Ampumuza said.
Masheda Foods specializes in processing a variety of value-added catfish products, including smoked fillet, smoked powder, and sausages.
With 107 fish ponds and a monthly production capacity of 110 tonnes, the factory integrates operations from hatchery and feed milling to filleting, smoking, packaging, and cold storage, making it one of the most advanced aquaculture facilities in the country.
Driving Exports and Job Creation
With its advanced processing systems, Masheda Foods is expected to increase Uganda’s fish exports and open up new market opportunities in Africa and beyond.
The company’s ability to produce premium-quality products for international markets positions it as a key player in achieving the government’s export-led growth agenda under the National Development Plan IV (NDPIV).
The factory is also creating employment opportunities across the value chain, from fish farming and logistics to processing and packaging.
Ampumuza said the facility is designed to integrate local farmers and traders, ensuring that small-scale producers benefit directly from the growing demand for processed catfish products.
Ggoobi stressed that this partnership between the private sector and government is essential to unlocking Uganda’s aquaculture potential and realizing the country’s long-term development aspirations.
“By investing in facilities like Masheda Foods and supporting farmers with the right inputs and markets, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more competitive aquaculture industry that benefits every Ugandan,” he said.
As Uganda accelerates its agro-industrialization efforts, Masheda Foods Ltd stands out as a model for private-sector innovation and value addition, setting the pace for Uganda’s ambitions of becoming a leading player in the global aquaculture market.