MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF BIOSCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, ENTOMOLOGY AND FISHERIES SCIENCES

RESEARCH TOPIC
EXAMINING ADHERENCE TO HEALTHY FISH HANDLING STANDARDS OF

FISH IN WANDEGEYA FISH MARKET

BY

CALEB KIPLANGAT

REG NO: 22/U/21400/PS

 background
The fish industry in Uganda has undergone significant changes to
improve fish health standards, particularly since 2010. The
implementation of stringent regulations and quality assurance
measures has been pivotal in ensuring the safety and quality of fish in
open marketplaces (Kasirye-Alemu, 2016)
Uganda's fish standards are governed by a combination of national and
East African Community (EAC) regulations. The Fish (Quality Assurance)
Rules of 2008, revised in 2016, set forth the requirements for fish
handling, processing, and marketing to ensure compliance with
international standards (Uganda Legal Information Institute, n.d.).
Background cont’d
Despite these regulations, open marketplaces face challenges in maintaining fish health
standards. Issues such as rough handling, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate
infrastructure for storage and transportation can lead to deterioration in fish quality
(Food and Agriculture Organization, n.d.). The Wandegeya fish market, like many
others, is susceptible to these challenges, impacting the overall health standards of fish
sold there.
This study would aim to evaluate the current health standards of fish in the Wandegeya
market by examining the hygiene practices of fish handlers and the adherence to
regulatory frameworks. It would involve observational studies, interviews with market
personnel, and analysis of the supply chain to identify gaps and propose improvement
Improving fish health standards in Uganda's open marketplaces is crucial for public
health and the economy. While regulations exist, their enforcement and the adoption
of best practices by fish handlers remain areas for development. The proposed research
on Wandegeya fish market could provide valuable insights into the current state of fish
health standards and inform policy and practice improvements.
Problem statement
Despite the existence of national and regional regulations aimed at
ensuring the safety and quality of fish sold in open marketplaces, there
is evidence of persistent non-compliance and inadequate enforcement,
particularly in informal settings such as the Wandegeya fish market in
Uganda. This research seeks to assess the health standards of fish in
the Wandegeya fish market, identify the key factors contributing to the
gap between regulatory standards and actual practices, and propose
actionable solutions to improve fish health and safety for consumers.
objectives
• To evaluate the current hygiene practices of fish handlers within the Wandegeya fish
market and their compliance with the national and East African Community (EAC)
regulatory standards.
• To identify the critical control points in the fish supply chain within the market that affect
fish health and safety.
• To assess the level of awareness and training of fish handlers and vendors in the
Wandegeya fish market regarding fish health standards and safe handling practices.
• To analyze the impact of market infrastructure on the maintenance of fish health
standards, including storage, waste management, and sanitation facilities.
• To compare the actual practices in the Wandegeya fish market with the best practices
outlined in the Fish (Quality Assurance) Rules and other relevant guidelines.
• To propose actionable recommendations for improving the health standards of fish in the
Wandegeya fish market, aimed at policymakers, market administrators, and fish handlers
 hypothesis

There is a significant discrepancy between the prescribed

fish health standards in Ugandan regulations and the actual
practices observed in the Wandegeya fish market, which
negatively impacts the quality and safety of fish sold to
consumers.
methodology