President Museveni Commissions Fish Feed Factory in Buikwe

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni commissioned the De Heus Fish Feed Factory in Njeru, Buikwe District, the first of its kind in Uganda.

 The factory, part of Royal De Heus, a Dutch family-owned business, will manufacture fish feeds, resolving a vital challenge for fish farmers in the country. 

President Museveni expressed gratitude to De Heus for investing in Uganda and noted that the factory would support fish farming, one of the seven activities under the Parish Development Model (PDM). He also allocated land to De Heus to produce poultry feeds in Bukalasa.

The President highlighted the importance of fish farming and the potential for growth in the sector. He encouraged farmer’s currently growing rice in swamps to shift to more profitable fish farming at the periphery of wetlands. 

 President Museveni also reiterated the potential for European businesses to invest in Uganda, noting that Africa has a ready market for manufactured products and services.  

The Minister of State for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa, thanked the President for creating an enabling environment for investments, while the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Uganda, H.E Frederieke Quispel, commended the good working relationship between Uganda and the Netherlands. 

The CEO of De Heus Animal Nutrition, Mr. Co de Heus, revealed that the company had invested heavily in developing countries, creating a professional support organization to ensure success.  

The Managing Director of De Heus Uganda, Mr. Bon Tjeenk Willink, thanked President Museveni for the support and noted that the factory would produce up to 100,000 tonnes of fish feed annually, supporting 7,000-10,000 jobs.  

The factory marks a significant milestone in Uganda's aquaculture sector, reducing reliance on imported fish feeds and boosting the local industry.