Gender and Stakeholder Inclusion in the Fisheries and Aquaculture: A Focus on the Eastern Region of Lake Victoria, Uganda

Abstract

This research brief assesses gender participation, empowerment, and inclusion across fisheries and aquaculture value chains in Uganda. The study was conducted in Busia, Namayingo, Mayuge, and Jinja districts using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs with women, men, youth, and private sector actors across selected landing sites. Findings indicate that gender roles remain largely differentiated: men dominate capture fisheries, while women are more engaged in processing, marketing, and small-scale aquaculture. However, a gradual shift toward greater gender inclusivity is evident. Women’s participation in boat ownership, fish trade, and cage farming has increased, supported by enabling policy frameworks such as the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act (2022) and initiatives under the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA-SSF). Women’s empowerment has been further strengthened through improved access to education, credit, and community sensitisation initiatives. Despite these gains, persistent challenges—including limited access to capital, restrictive cultural norms, and low representation of women in leadership—continue to constrain equitable participation. The study recommends strengthening gender-responsive implementation of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act (2022), expanding access to finance and skills development for women and youth, improving market infrastructure at landing sites, and increasing women’s leadership representation to at least 50%. Continuous gender data monitoring, targeted research, and public–private partnerships are essential to advancing Uganda’s NDP IV priorities and achieving SDGs 5, 8, and 14 for an inclusive and sustainable blue economy.