By Alfred Opio
Pallisa, Uganda — Fresh fish vendors in Pallisa Town have raised concern over an acute shortage of fish at major lakes across the district, a situation they say is pushing many traders into serious financial distress.
The vendors, who source their stock from Lakes Opeta, Daraja, and Nyaguo, report that the scarcity has worsened in recent weeks, leaving many stranded at landing sites without fish to sell.
According to the traders, landing sites are now overcrowded with buyers from different parts of the district and beyond as early as 6:00 a.m., yet only a handful manage to secure stock.
The shortage is largely attributed to the ongoing dry spell, which is believed to have significantly reduced water levels in the lakes, negatively affecting fish breeding and availability.
Charles Odongo, a fish vendor at Pallisa Main Market, said the situation has drastically limited his purchasing capacity and daily earnings.
“Currently, I can only afford to buy fish worth about Shs50,000 at the landing sites, if I’m lucky. During the rainy season, I used to buy fish worth Shs300,000 or even more in a single day,” Odongo said.
Another vendor, Martin Odeke, said he has failed to purchase any fish for the past two weeks, blaming stiff competition among traders and what he described as preferential selling practices by suppliers.
“The vendors are very many, and fish sellers tend to sell to people they already know. Those of us without strong connections end up going home empty-handed,” Odeke explained.
The scarcity is also affecting consumers, with many households struggling to cope with rising and unpredictable prices.
Sam Opedun, a regular customer at Pallisa Main Market, said the situation has made it difficult for families to afford enough food.
“Fish has become expensive and unpredictable in price. These days, fish worth Shs10,000 is not enough to feed my family of seven,” he said.
Despite the challenges, fish remains the most affordable and preferred source of protein for many households in Pallisa District, compared to alternatives such as meat, beans, and vegetables.
Vendors are now appealing to relevant authorities to intervene and explore sustainable measures to restore fish stocks, regulate competition at landing sites, and stabilize the livelihoods of those who depend on the fishing industry.
Without timely action, traders warn that both businesses and household food security could continue to suffer.
