Ugandans brace for Virtual celebrations of the Annual Jinja Fish Festival

Ugandans will on Sunday 14th November 2021join other fish lovers the world over to celebrate World Fisheries Day. To celebrate the day, the 3rd edition of the Jinja E-Fish Festival shall also be launched in Jinja, with support from GIZ – Responsible Fisheries Business Chain Project (RFBCP), and funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The festival is a chance not only to try some delicious fish but also to learn more about the resource under the theme; “Recognizing and Supporting the Contribution and Sustainable Development of Artisanal Fisheries.”

The organizers have partnered with a number of restaurants in Jinja including Source of the Nile Hotel, The Bourbon, Kingfisher Resort, Forever Resort, and all Yalelo outlets across the country where people can have themselves an exciting menu to choose from.

One can also order your fish online by downloading the Abavubi App on https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abavubi.fisher

According to Adolf Gerstl the Team Leader Giz Responsible Fisheries Business Chain Project, Ugandans will learn more about the fisheries business at the E-Festival.

They will also learn from experts about where fish come from and what to watch out for when buying fish, how as a consumer they can support responsible fishing that is sustainable and legal.

“Value chain actors will share knowledge with people on a number of subjects including fish processing and how fish comes from the lake onto your plate,” Gerstl says.

The festival will be a fusion of celebrating and learning about sustainable fisheries accompanied by delicious fish dishes. Uganda’s leading entertainers led by Afrigo Band will re-echo the voice of responsible fishing through musical performances and there will be lots of awards to win by tertiary institutions that are participating in poster competitions, the launch of the International year of artisanal fisheries and Aquaculture 2022, exhibitions among other things.

“Don’t miss to log onto the festival social media platforms on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, at Jinja Fishfest21 and #Jinjafishfest21 where we can share the fun, follow amazing entertainment, and share a photo of yourself, friends, and family lightening up on a fish”.

The Festival has been organized by GIZ – Responsible Fisheries Business Chain Project (RFBCP) with other partners including; Directorate of Fisheries Resources (DFiR), Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization(LVFO), Uganda Fish Processors and Exporters Association (UFPEA), Federation of Fisheries Organizations of Uganda (FFOU), Katosi Women Development Trust (KWDT), Makerere University Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries  Science, Fisheries Training Institute,  National Fisheries Resource Research Institute( NAFIRRI), Sustainable Fisheries Initiative (SFI),  Association of Fisheries and Lake Users of Uganda (AFALU) and Uganda Fisheries and Fish Conservation Association (UFFCA).