Hon. Bernard Otim Odoc launches climate-smart aquaculture dam in Maruzi North

16 October 2026, 5:09 pm

By Ogolo Ian Smith

Maruzi North County Member of Parliament, Hon. Bernard Otim Odoc, has launched the construction of the Maruzi North Group Aquaculture Dam at Okutu-Agwe in Teboke Sub-county under the Government’s Climate-Smart Agriculture initiative.

The project, implemented in collaboration with Apac District Local Government and its Production Department, aims to promote commercial fish farming, strengthen climate resilience and improve household livelihoods in the area. The construction contract has been awarded to Aliman Capital Company Ltd.

The launch was attended by the Apac Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the District Agricultural Officer, officials from the District Fisheries Department, LC III chairpersons from Apac and Teboke sub-counties, other political leaders and community members.

An engineer representing Aliman Capital Company Ltd thanked Hon. Otim Odoc for lobbying for the project and the Government of Uganda for providing funding. The engineer called on residents to cooperate with the construction team to ensure smooth implementation and quality work.

Mr Elinga Maxwell, the Agricultural Officer overseeing agricultural activities in Apac Sub-county, said the Uganda Climate Smart Agriculture Transformation Project was introduced to improve farming practices, strengthen market access for agricultural produce and help communities adapt to climate change.

He explained that four groups in Maruzi North had been earmarked to receive seedlings, with the Barodilo Vegetable Growers Group already having received and planted theirs.

Mr Elinga added that three other groups would receive additional interventions, including the Maruzi North Foundation Aquaculture Project. The programme was also seeking eight more groups to engage in orange and mango growing, with each group expected to comprise 30 members.

The District Fisheries Officer, Mr Tyan John, commended Hon. Otim Odoc for securing the project. He also urged the MP to raise concerns in Parliament about poverty assessment methods, arguing that regional differences in poverty levels should be considered when determining communities’ eligibility for government-funded development programmes.

Mr Tyan noted that the Government requires local communities to contribute 20 per cent towards such projects, a condition he said many residents in the area struggle to meet. He expressed concern that this requirement could limit access to development initiatives in the Lango, Acholi, Teso and Karamoja sub-regions, while communities in Western Uganda were benefiting from more such projects.

He called for local contribution requirements to be reviewed in light of regional poverty levels to ensure that disadvantaged communities are not excluded from development opportunities.

The fisheries officer also warned residents around Okutu-Agwe against damaging the dam or poisoning its waters. Citing Section 97 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, he said such offences could attract severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to eight years. He further stated that poisoning the dam could attract a fine of 10,000 currency points, which he said was equivalent to UGX 200 million.

He urged parents and guardians to supervise their children and prevent them from playing unattended near the dam to minimise the risk of accidents and loss of life.

Meanwhile, Mrs Betty Jokene, Head of the Production Department at Apac District, encouraged residents to diversify their sources of income rather than rely solely on the aquaculture project. She recommended complementary activities such as beekeeping and vegetable production.

Mrs Jokene assured the community that the district would conduct regular site visits to monitor construction, assess progress and provide the necessary technical support.

Apac District Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Yussuf Akubonabona, thanked the Government of Uganda and President Yoweri Museveni for extending the initiative to the district.

He said that, of Uganda’s 135 districts, only 69 had benefited from the Climate-Smart Agriculture initiative, with Apac among those selected.

Mr Akubonabona emphasised that residents had voluntarily accepted the project and urged them to protect the facility and cooperate with those responsible for its implementation. He said the initiative was intended to help communities fight poverty and improve their livelihoods.

Addressing residents and district leaders, Hon. Otim Odoc thanked the community for embracing the project. He specifically recognised Mr Ongu Bonny and Mr Ogwang Patrick for providing land for the dam’s construction, while appealing to other residents with suitable land to support similar development initiatives.

The MP also called for the protection of wetlands, discouraging unproductive activities in these environmentally sensitive areas. He encouraged residents to establish homes and undertake appropriate economic activities on non-wetland land in accordance with environmental regulations.

Hon. Otim Odoc revealed that, during a National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus meeting with President Yoweri Museveni on 2 October, he raised concerns about the high community contribution required for projects of this nature.

He explained to the President that Maruzi North has extensive wetland areas suitable for similar initiatives, but many residents struggle to raise the required funds.

According to the MP, the President indicated that an additional dam would be constructed in the area alongside the current aquaculture project. Hon. Otim Odoc urged residents to prepare to embrace the proposed development when it is introduced.

He also briefed district leaders on plans for the management and operation of the project by members of the Maruzi North beneficiary group, emphasising the importance of community ownership in ensuring sustainability and shared benefits.

Apac RDC Mr Andrew Onyuk, who represented the President at the launch, thanked the people of Maruzi North for electing Hon. Otim Odoc. He described the aquaculture initiative as part of the Government’s efforts to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty.

Mr Onyuk said the project supported President Museveni’s vision of promoting the productive use of wetlands through appropriate initiatives. He called on local leaders to provide effective leadership and work collectively to ensure successful implementation.

The RDC further urged the relevant authorities to provide adequate support to beneficiary group members, including organising study visits to communities where similar projects are operating. He said such visits would give beneficiaries practical knowledge of fish farming, dam management and the long-term operation of the facility.

The Maruzi North Foundation Aquaculture Project was secured through the lobbying efforts of Hon. Bernard Otim Odoc, who contributed an additional UGX 15 million towards its implementation, on top of the funds raised by group members.

The beneficiary group comprises 23 members who are expected to benefit from the first phase, with subsequent phases planned to follow after eight months.The project is expected to involve the excavation of five separate dams, with more than 35,000 fish fingerlings to be distributed to beneficiaries.

Once operational, the initiative is expected to expand fish farming, promote climate-smart agricultural practices, create income-generating opportunities and improve household livelihoods across Maruzi North.