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Silverfish traders in Mpigi decry poor market, seeks government support
Fishermen at Ssenyondo landing site in Mpigi District sort silverfish on drying racks. They are seeking government support in penetrating regional and international markets, where demand for silverfish is high. PHOTO BY SADAT MBOGO
Silverfish (mukene) traders in Mpigi District have called for special government intervention for better markets for their commodity and reduce its capital intensive nature.
Speaking at their annual stakeholders’ meeting in Bunjako Islands, the sliverfish dealers said that the intervention would boost the business and satisfy its increasing demand for both local and international markets.
The meeting was attended by fishmongers, sellers and buyers, as well as local leaders in the district.
Also, the fishermen in Mpigi want government to support them to facilitate export of silver fish as it holds a bigger market in Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and DR Congo.
They said high cost of transport and poor marketing system affects their investments. Besides, they identified poor power supply as another challenge towards their business.
They also complained of lack of access to credit facilities from commercial banks and microfinance institutions to boost their business.
“The level of production has declined compared to what it was two years ago. This is due to poor market,” remarked Stanley Kiyita, the secretary for finance, Ssenyondo Tusitukirewamu Silverfish Traders Association (STUSTA) in Mpigi District.
The association has 550 traders that are being mobilised to add value to the product through packing, labelling and branding for international market.
Despite having a high demand outside Uganda, most of the fishermen have only managed to sell in the local markets.
About 50 tonnes of silverfish is produced on average during the rainy season, and they believe that absence of a proper export market has limited their earnings.
Currently, a kilo costs between Shs2,000 and Shs3,200.
