De Heus Opens Modern Fish Feed Factory in Njeru, Boosting Uganda’s Aquaculture Sector

Njeru, Buikwe District – Uganda’s aquaculture industry has received a major boost with the commissioning of a new De Heus Animal Nutrition fish feed factory in Njeru. The facility, officially opened by President Yoweri Museveni, marks a turning point for fish farmers across East Africa by addressing one of their biggest challenges, access to quality and affordable feed.

The state-of-the-art factory, strategically located near Jinja, is expected to produce up to 100,000 metric tons of fish feed annually. This will not only reduce dependence on imports but also create a reliable supply chain for farmers within the region.

Speaking at the launch, Co de Heus, Chairman of De Heus Animal Nutrition, emphasized the company’s commitment to long-term investment in Africa.

“We see tremendous potential in Uganda’s aquaculture sector, and this investment reflects our vision to support food security and farmer profitability,” he said.

The factory is designed with sustainability in mind. It features a biomass boiler to cut down on fossil fuel use and prioritizes sourcing ingredients locally, including maize, cassava, and soybeans. This approach strengthens linkages between crop farmers and fish producers while minimizing environmental impact.

According to Bon Tjeenk-Willink, Managing Director of De Heus Uganda, the facility will create far-reaching benefits for communities:

“At full capacity, we expect to support up to 10,000 jobs on fish farms and buy crops from about 15,000 smallholder farmers. By transforming local harvests into high-quality fish feed, we are shifting from imports to value-added production in line with Uganda’s development agenda.”

President Museveni praised the initiative as a practical solution to gaps in the fish farming value chain. He urged Ugandans to take advantage of the opportunity by producing more raw materials like maize, sunflower, and soybeans.

This factory fills a vital gap. My call is for our farmers to organize and supply the raw materials needed. I also thank our Dutch partners for investing in Uganda and supporting our shift from rice cultivation in swamps to sustainable fish farming.

Since entering Uganda in 2015, De Heus has built a reputation as a trusted partner to livestock and fish farmers, offering not just feed but also training and technical support. The company’s latest investment underscores its confidence in Uganda’s potential to become a leader in aquaculture while reducing pressure on natural fish stocks.

With the commissioning of the Njeru plant, Uganda moves a step closer to building a vibrant, commercially viable fish farming sector that creates jobs, empowers farmers, and strengthens food security for the region.