Aquaculture development and biosecurity challenges in Uganda: toward resilient fish health management

Uganda, a landlocked country with approximately 18% of its surface area covered by freshwater, has promoted aquaculture since the 1950s to enhance food security and economic resilience. Aquaculture production expanded from 31 metric tonnes in 1984 to 123,897 metric tonnes in 2020 (valued at USD 289.5 million), led by Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Despite this growth, fish health management systems and aquatic biosecurity frameworks remain underdeveloped. Most farms operate without standardized disease surveillance; furthermore, diagnostic services are concentrated in a few institutions, and enforcement is hindered by outdated, fragmented legislation. Although no major outbreaks have been officially reported, the presence of multiple pathogens in hatcheries and grow-out systems may indicate potential underdiagnosis. This review examines Uganda’s aquaculture systems, disease occurrence, and governance structures, identifying key gaps in diagnostics, farmer awareness, and regulatory coherence. Comparative insights from Egypt and Nigeria are used to inform policy recommendations. These include establishing a coherent legal framework, developing certified broodstock programs, expanding biosecurity training a national surveillance and diagnostic network.