ABOUT

Uganda Fish Processors & Exporters Association (UFPEA)

Established in 1993, the Uganda Fish Processors & Exporters Association (UFPEA) stands as a non-profit organization, unifying all fish factories across Uganda. Its formal registration in 1999 as a Company Limited by Guarantee, without a share capital, solidified its commitment.

The primary focus of UFPEA members revolves around processing, value addition, and the export of fish and fishery products. These commodities reach diverse destinations, with the European Union claiming over 75% of total exports by volume. Other significant markets include the Middle East, Singapore, China, Japan, the USA, COMESA, and the regional market.

UFPEA goes beyond conventional roles; it extends business development services to its members and actively engages in advocating for policies that benefit the fish sub-sector. This strategic involvement underscores UFPEA’s dedication to fostering growth and sustainability in the fisheries industry.

Through consistent investments in workforce capacity building and state-of-the-art facilities, the industry has evolved into a modern processing sector, positioning fish and fishery products as Uganda’s leading non-traditional export for over a decade. UFPEA’s active collaboration with MAAIF (the EU’s designated Competent Authority) has played a pivotal role in instilling confidence, as acknowledged by international bodies like the FVO (Food and Veterinary Office) of the European Commission. This recognition underscores Uganda’s capability to effectively administer the necessary food safety control system for its fish exports.

Overview of UFPEA and Statistics.

  • Membership: Currently, our membership comprises eight fish processing firms, with locations including one in Jinja, six in Kampala, and one in Entebbe. The “Quality Assurance Managers Association” (QAMA) is an affiliated association of UFPEA, consisting of Quality Assurance Managers within the industry. They collaborate to ensure a harmonized approach to fish quality and safety issues.

    Operational Facilities: We boast eight state-of-the-art processing plants that are currently in operation. These facilities collectively employ about 32,000 workers, with more than 90% being Ugandan citizens.

    Societal Impact: Our industry has a broad societal impact, benefiting over 5 million Ugandans who derive income for their livelihoods. Additionally, we contribute significantly to the national economy by exporting over an average of 29,000 metric tonnes of fish products annually to international markets, generating export revenue of USD 116 million per year on average.

UFPEA CURRENT EXECUTIVE COMITEE

TITLE

NAME

FACTORY

Chairman

Mr. Shahul Hameed

Nyanza Perch Ltd

Vice Chairman

Mr. Rakesh Shetty

Lake Bounty Ltd

Treasurer

Mr. Anshuman Dutt

Iftra (U) Ltd

Executive Committee member

Executive Committee member

Executive Committee member

Mr. Rogers Katerega

Mr. Raj Prakash

Mr. Kamoga Charles

One to fish Ltd

Lake Eco Fish Processing Limited

Ssese Fresh Packers Ltd

Chairman, QAMA

Mr. Moses Tenywa

Lake Bounty Ltd

Our Vision

To be an Association where individual members work together to promote a sustainable, quality oriented, market and high value focussed approach in the fisheries sub-sector in Uganda.

Mandate of the UFPEA Secretariat

  • To coordinate all relevant information /activities and disseminate it to members.
  • Lobby and mobilize technical assistance as requested by member companies
  • Initiate projects and programmes for members.
  • Advocate for appropriate policies and programmes as well as resolving constraints and challenges facing the industry through public /private partnerships.

Our Mission

To set up mechanisms to ensure full participation of members in promoting Uganda’s fish products; To work in partnership with government with respect to policies and programmes in the fisheries sector and To promote the sustainable use of fisheries resources and comprehensive quality management systems in the fisheries industry.

EXPORTED PRODUCTS

Our members mainly export value added products which are chilled and frozen Nile Perch (Lates Niloticus) in various product forms, such as/

  • Headed and gutted
  • Skin on and skinless fillets
  • Air bladders (fish maws)
  • Fish heads
  • Portions
  • Steaks
  • Loins
  • Others

Nile Perch nutritional attributes

The Nile Perch is known for its high level of Omega 3 fatty acids. It is a firm white flesh fish caught in the wild waters of Lake Victoria and other fresh water lakes in the East African region.

High value product and value Addition

Through various projects, UFPEA has encouraged her members to obtain the highest value for all parts of the fish, including by-products such as trimmings for fish fingers, skin for leather product, fats for oil, heads and hygienically processed frames for the domestic and regional markets

PRODUCTION

Nile Perch is harvested from the wild catch in Lake Victoria, maintaining the largest inland fishery globally, encompassing a vast surface area of 68,800 square kilometers. Ensuring the sustainability of fishery resources stands as a paramount objective for UFPEA, demonstrated by the self-regulatory mechanisms embedded in the UFPEA members’ Code of Conduct.

Markets

The industry achieves a high value for its exported fishery products through its adeptness in accessing and consolidating market share in key global markets, notably the European Union. Additional export destinations encompass the Middle East, South Korea, Singapore, Israel, Japan, and Australia.

UFPEA MARKETS MAP

Environment

UFPEA works hand in hand with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO) to implement the fish industry’s commitment to cleaner production and to mitigate possible environmental impacts.

UFPEA members are strict on sanitation and quality.

Safety/Hygiene

The fish industry in Uganda takes pride in upholding a high standard of quality and safety in its fish products. UFPEA extends training opportunities to all members, covering the implementation of HACCP, ISO standards such as ISO 9001:2000 management standard, ISO 14000 Environmental standard, ISO 2200:2005 food safety-focused standard, and BRC standards. Ensuring traceability is a pivotal element of the safety control system across the entire fish supply chain. With the guidance of QAMA, factories have established pertinent traceability systems.

The Department of Fisheries Resources, functioning as the Competent Authority, conducts regular tests on fish, water, and water sediments, screening for heavy metals, pesticide residues, and other relevant parameters. The majority of tests can be conducted in-country by internationally accredited laboratories.

UFPEA Self –Monitoring & control Programme.

To counter the illegalities that severely impacted the fish industry in the mid-2000s, resulting in a decline in fish stocks, UFPEA members took decisive action in 2007. They committed to regulating the fish processed in their respective factories, initiating a self-policing and control program. Independent inspectors were appointed to conduct surprise inspections across all fish processing companies. An agreement was forged with the Department of Fisheries to impose deterrent measures on any non-compliant fish factory. This proactive measure significantly contributed to the ongoing recovery of Nile Perch stocks.

In acknowledgment of its dedication to sustainable fisheries for the Nile Perch, the association received a certification mark (logo).

UFPEA Networks and Partnerships.

Directorate of Fishery Resources.

UFPEA maintains robust relations with various government Ministries and Departments, particularly through the Directorate of Fisheries Resources under the Ministry of MAAIF. This department offers vital inspection and regulatory services to the industry. To address challenges and concerns, regular consultative meetings are conducted to foster collaboration.

In a significant move, the government established a Fisheries Protection Unit in 2016, comprising army officers. This unit plays a pivotal role in leading the charge against illegal fishing and the trade of immature fish, which often targets both domestic and regional markets. This underscores the collective commitment to preserving the integrity of fisheries.

UFPEA is a member of the following organizations:

  • Private Sector Foundation of Uganda.
  • East Africa Industrial Fishing & Fish Processors Association

UFPEA PROJECTS

Over the years, UFPEA has generated and assisted with the management and funding of a significant number of projects. As such, it has been a close partner of EU/ACP institutions such as the CDE (Centre for Development of Enterprises) and programs such as PROINVEST and FISH II, among other organizations, USAID and UNIDO figure prominently.

CDE supported projects:

  • March 1998 – August 2000 – Support of Technical Advisor :Consultant- Marina Reussens UGA/9701/02/F1
  • 1998 – 1999 – Set up of Quality Management programmes: Consultant – by Dr. Roland Vanthuyne UGA/9906/00/F1. Capacity building in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and HACCP systems among members
  • 2005 Value addition market study and Conference UGA/0508/01/F1

 

  • May 2006 Participation in Brussels Seafood Exhibition – UGA/0602/01/F1 – UFPEA members exhibited their products and were able to access new markets.
  • November 2008 – Evaluation of FVO mission of 2006: Consultant – Dr. Roland Vanthuyne. This was to evaluate the fish industry’s compliance to FVO mission recommendations.
  • June 2009 – Energy Audit of Fish Processing Factories: Consultants- Konserve Consult Ltd (Uganda) & EnergiMidt A/S (Denmark). UGA/9907/04/F1 – Project aimed at building capacity to minimise operating costs by saving and using electricity supply efficiently.
  • July 2011 Effectively Fish Safety & Quality assurance at all levels in the fish industry along the upstream EAF/0911/01/F1: Consultant – Dr. Roland Vanthuyne- Project assisted the Competent Authority to install Environmental and Residue monitoring programme
  • Integrated inspections at regional level of the Self monitoring & Control Programme
  • Develop a regional website and update national association websites.
  • Develop Public Relations Strategy & Data Policy
  • Printing of promotional materials for fish industry – Brochures, Newsletter, Posters

GIZ supported projects

  • November 2018 – The Review of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2018: Consultant-Begumanya .K
  • December 2018 -Financing Mechanism of the Fish sector :Consultant-Begumanya .K
  • March 2018 – review the UFPEA Inspection guidelines: Consultant-Begumanya .K Perry
  • June 2019 – Training of factories production staff and suppliers on the reviewed guidelines

UNIDO’s support

  • Training of Quality Assurance managers in the implementation of ISO 22000:2005 management systems.

SUPPORT SERVICE PROVIDERS

The development of the fish industry has generated opportunities for a strong cluster of service providers.

Among these, we recognize:

  • Charter and scheduled Cargo flights – SN Brussels, Emirates, KLM, Avient, Turkish Airlines, BA, South Africa Airways, MK Airlines, etc.
  • Major International Freight Forwarders companies and suppliers of frozen containerized transportation – Interfreight, Maersk Damco, Kenfreight etc.
  • Handling Services and cold storage facilities at Entebbe International Airport.- ENHAS, ROKABOND
  • Internationally Accredited Laboratories – Chemiphar (U), Uganda National Bureau of Standards,
  • Packaging Materials – Hwan sung Industries Ltd, Quality Plastics, Omega Plastics, Oscar Industries Ltd, Makss packaging Industries, etc.

The Uganda Fish Processors & Exporters Association (UFPEA) was established in 1993 as a non-profit organization, uniting all fish factories in Uganda. It officially registered in 1999 as a Company Limited by Guarantee without a share capital.

The primary focus of UFPEA members is the processing, value addition, and export of fish and fishery products to various destinations. Notably, the European Union constitutes over 75% of total exports in terms of volume, followed by the Middle East, Singapore, China, Japan, the USA, COMESA, and the regional market.

UFPEA extends business development services to its members, actively advocating for policies that favor the fish sub-sector through the association.

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