No. 3
TRIP TO JINJA TOWN AND UFFRO
12 MAY 1989

By

J.E. Reynolds, C.T. Mukasa & O.K. Odongkara

This is one in a series of Field Reports by the Socio-Economic Working Group of FAO/UNDP Project UGA/87/007, Fisheries Statistics and Information Systems (FISHIN). Socio-Economic Field Reports (SEC Fld Rpts) are intended as occasional working documents/briefs/notes covering on-going Group activities, issued for the information of Project team members and other interested colleagues. Length, format, and content vary according to the type and scope of activity reviewed (field trips, surveys, studies, workshops, etc.). It is cautioned that observations and findings presented in the Reports should be treated as preliminary and subject to further verification. Correspondence, comments, and suggestions are welcomed and may be forwarded to: J.Eric Reynolds, Socio-Economic Advisor, UGA/87/007, FAO/UN, P.O. Box 521, Kampala, Uganda.

1. INTRODUCTION

Members of the project socioeconomic team (Reynolds, Mukasa, and Odongkara) undertook a day trip to Jinja in order to meet with local fisheries personnel and acquaint themselves with ongoing projects. Places and persons visited include the following:

Jinja Regional Fisheries Office

Uganda Freshwater Fisheries Research Organisation (UFFRO)

ANSALDO Fish Processing Plant

Masese Landing Site

Fish Scouts; Fishermen; Traders

2. REGIONAL FISHERIES OFFICE

A courtesy call was paid to the Regional Fisheries Officer, Mr. Nkusi, who agreed to accompany the team on a tour of the new Ansaldo Fish Processing Plant and adjoining Masese Landing Site. Ms. Atima, Fisheries Officer, also introduced the team to the Coordinator of the CICS project which is based at the Jinja Regional Fisheries Office.

3. CICS

Centro Internationale di Cooperazione allo Sviluppo (CICS) is a NGO with headquarters in Rome. It is now executing a component of the Integrated Fisheries Project for the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Uganda Ministry of Animal Industry and Fisheries. The overall project budget is around US$ 14 million. The bulk of this amount, about $12 million, is committed to development of the Jinja fish processing plant, to be described presently. Some $2 million has been earmarked for the CICS component project, the main objectives of which are given as follows:

• stimulate higher productivity in fishing communities around Lakes Victoria and Kyoga in order to increase earnings and create a better standard of living;

• foster the formation of fishing cooperatives in production areas and assist already existing societies to achieve economic viability and self-sufficiency by promoting managerial skills and efficiency:

• encourage marketing of fish through the adoption of rapid transportation and simple processing methods that guarantee proper hygiene and good quality; and

• assist fishermen by introducing new fishing techniques and repairing gear and vessels.

The CICS project has thus far established several model sites within the Buvuma Island - Napolean Gulf area at which Chorkor smokers, cleaning slabs, and dripping stands have been built for practical demonstration purposes. The project has also built certain amenities like pit latrines and water supplies at these sites. It is in addition involved with training programmes for local cooperative society members and staff. On the day of the team's visit, a three-day training seminar for coop society secretaries was just drawing to a close.

In terms of equipment and gear provision, a revolving fund scheme is being developed through which local fishermen receive loans in kind, to be repaid through the sale of their catches. Efforts are also being made to encourage the use of large diesel outboard engines for propelling transport canoes. These engines are of the Lamborghini type and are said to be far more fuel-efficient than the typical petrol outboard. Engine weight and initial purchase cost may be disadvantages, however.

The CICS Project Coordinator Mr. Ottaviani expressed interest in learning more about Project UGA/87/007, and in collaborating insofar as possible. He invitied the team to visit on another occasion when it would be possible to tour some of the CICS field sites.

4. UFFRO

The team paid a courtesy call on Mr. Kudhongania, the Director of UFFRO, and briefed him on the socioeconomic component of project UGA/87/007. The project already has a close link with UFFRO in that Mr. Odongkara, the national counterpart senior fisheries economist, has actually been seconded from the Organisation. The Director reaffirmed that UFFRO stands ready to assist the project in whatever ways it can. He also expressed the hope that the UFFRO library, a crucial part of the Uganda fisheries information system, would receive some attention from project personnel. Resources in funds and staff have been extremely scarce for many years and levels of maintenance, service, and new acquisitions have suffered accordingly. The entire facility is in serious need of rehabilitation.

In addition to the library, the team was conducted on a tour of the offices and labs. Introductions were also made to the scientific officers noted above. Aside from the library problems, it was remarked that the Organisation suffers from a severe lack of transport (both land and water) and an acute shortage of general operating funds. Evidence of the latter is everywhere apparent in the dilapidated state of the physical plant.

The Organisation is currently participating in two externally funded research projects. The larger of these is the Biology and Ecology of Nile Perch project, supported by IDRC and covering both lakes Victoria and Kyoga. A.W. Kudhongania, T.O. Acere, and R.Oguttu are the officers primarily responsible for this project.

UFFRO is also taking part in the Fishery Survey of Lake Kyoga, which is a component of the World Bank/IFAD Agricultural Development Project. The first phase of this activity has just been completed, and consists mostly of socioeconomic survey findings. A provisional report has been prepared and a copy has been submitted to the Commissioner of Fisheries office in Entebbe. It is understood that the survey team encountered difficulties in carrying out work due to the insecure situation prevailing along certain sections of the Lake Kyoga shoreline. Mr. D. Kibwika is the officer who is dealing with the survey material.

5. FISH PROCESSING PLANT, MASESE

This plant lies adjacent to the Masese landing site. It has been under construction for the last two years or so and is now nearing completion. It is anticipated that operations will begin later this year. Trial processing has already been conducted on a small scale and further trials are soon to be carried out. Once the ANSALDO contractors formerly hand over the facility to Government, it will operate as a state owned and managed company known as the Uganda Fisheries Enterprises Ltd.

The team visited the plant in the company of the RFO, Mr. Nkusi, and was shown around the facilities by Mr. Mashemererwa, the Production Manager. The team was also introduced to Mr. Klose, the Chief Technical Advisor, and to Mr. Stefano, the Administrative Manager.

The plant is situated within a large compound, perhaps a hectare or more in area. There are extensive facilities, including back-up electricity and water supply units, workshops, garages, and offices. A fleet of seven insulated vehicles (two lorries and five Landrovers) will be used for fresh fish collection and final product distribution to domestic markets. A system of six collection points and six distribution points is being set up as part of the project. The CICS fishing communities noted above are reportedly not formally part of the planned collection system, but the plant could provide them with a regular market for their catches. It is also anticipated that two pair trawler units now being assembled at Port Bell under the Sino-Uganda Joint Fishing Venture arangement will also operate, at least initially, to supply the plant with fish.

The main plant embodies equipment and fixtures of the latest design, and it is obvious that the investment cost is on the order of millions of dollars. The primary product will be cold-smoked Nile perch fillets, chilled and vacuum-packed. Initial capacity is planned at around six tonnes of fresh fish or 2 tonnes of fillets daily. Customers will also be able to purchase fresh fillets and ice from the plant. Ice-making capacity is reportedly 10 tonnes per day.

Although the cold-smoked product is said to be intended primarily for the domestic market, the only consumer acceptance trials undertaken thus far were carried out in Italy. The questions arise therefore of how readily the local market will accept this product, and if indeed sales will be effected primarily within Uganda or overseas.

6. MASESE LANDING SITE

This landing is most active between 1100 and 1400 hours, and was in full operation when the team visited around 1230, accompanied by the RFO. In addition to the landing and wholesaling of fish, there is a robust trade in many other commodities such as fruits, vegetables, charcoal, and general merchandise conducted from numerous stalls within the market area. The Fisheries Department maintains a small office here out of which several Fisheries Assistants and Fish Scouts operate. The Department also maintains a boat building shed but this is not being used at present. The CICS project has established one of its model smoking/handing sites just above the market area.

Several boats had already off-loaded prior to the team's arrival, and two boats landed during the course of the visit, one carrying fresh and the other smoked Nile perch. These were part of the fleet of some 15 outboard-powered fish transport canoes that operate to and from the islands offshore. A further number of sail-powered craft call in at Masese with loads of non-perishable goods such as sun-dried Rastrineobola (= mukene, locally) and charcoal from the islands. Between 35 to 40 fishing canoes operate directly out of Masese, though not always on a regular basis. There is reportedly a total of some 15 boatowners and about 80 actual fishermen.

Once consignments of fish are landed they are first weighed by Town Council officials who assess their owners market dues. Fish are then taken to the off-loading stalls where weighing again takes place. At this stage seller and buyer negotiate prices according to weight of bundle (for tilapia spp. and processed fish) or individual fish (for fresh Nile perch).

The species most commonly landed at Masese are Nile perch, tilapia, and mukene. On the day of visit only one other species was observed on the selling table. This was a very young (1 kg.) Protopterus. Sun-dried mukene arrives in gunny sacks packed 30–35 kg in weight. About two-thirds of the mukene landed goes to an animal feed plant in Jinja (Nuvita Animal Feeds), and the balance is transported by traders to Arua in the northwest of the country. Formerly a large part of the mukene landed at Masese went to Kenya markets.

Local fisheries staff reckon that about 5 tonnes of fish are landed daily at Masese. Records from the Regional Fisheries Office show that the total landings for April 1989 were 140 tonnes, or something less than a 5 tonne daily rate.

7. PRICES

Information on fish prices in and around the Jinja area was compiled from records supplied by the RFO and observations made by the team. Included are the beach prices from Lingira Island, Masese Landing, and Ripon Falls Landing as well as the stall prices at the Jinja Central Market.

7.1. Lingira Island

This island is part of the Buvuma Islands group. It lies about 19 km. from Masese Landing and supplies fresh fish to the mainland. Fresh tilapia are graded according to size prior to being sold.

7.2. Masese Landing

Aside from what has already been noted it was reported that Nile perch is more expensive early in the morning and less expensive late in the afternoon. Bagrus are very rare at all times at this landing. Mukene prices may range between Shs. 5000 and 7500 per 30–35 kg sack.

7.3. Ripon Falls Landing

This landing lies opposite to UFFRO, adjacent to the ferry pier. It receives both fresh and smoked fish, and is reported to handle more of the latter than does Masese.

7.4. Jinja Central Market

The Central Market is the largest fish bulking and distribution centre in the region and handles both fresh and processed (smoked/dried) products.

7.5. Prices (shs/kg) By Species and Place

8. GENERAL REMARKS

The following points about the team's Jinja visit are particularly emphasised.

• The CICS project has developed activities at a number of remote landing sites, and these warrant a visit. The project is of great interest and should be followed up with a view towards establishing collaborative links.

• The processing plant now nearing completion at Masese is an impressive facility which seems to incorporate the very latest in industrial technology. Local demand for a cold-smoked Nile perch fillet product has yet to be confirmed as consumer acceptance trials have only been conducted overseas.

• Efforts should be made to follow up the possibility of assisting the UFFRO Library as part of the project's tasks of improving the fisheries information services of the country.

• In general, the day's visit to Jinja was a success insofar as it renewed existing ties between the project and fisheries interests there (Regional Fisheries Office, UFFRO) and also helped to create new ones (with CICS and the ANSALDO plant).