GGML pours in 251m/- to boost fish farming in Geita Region

GEITA: GEITA Gold Mining Limited (GGML) has provided  251m/-  in funding to entrepreneurs in Geita District Council to support fish production.

The funding is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, aimed at improving local livelihoods through cage fish farming projects in Lake Victoria.

GGML Senior CSR Projects Officer, Mr Masaki Godlove, announced the initiative during a ceremony marking the first phase of fish harvesting in Nkome Ward.

He said the project began with the Jiendeleze Mchangani Group in Nkome Ward, which received four fish cages, 120,000 fish fingerlings, and 36 tonnes of fish feed.

Mr Godlove added that the beneficiaries were also provided with a project supervisor, a boat for water transport, as well as surveillance cameras and solar-powered lights to enhance security at the project site.

“We expect that every time the group harvests fish, part of the revenue will be allocated to operational costs while another portion will be reserved as project capital.

“By the third harvest, we expect the capital fund to be sufficient, allowing us to officially hand over the project to the group. The revolving capital will then be used to support other beneficiaries,” he said.

Geita District Council Executive Director, Mr Karia Rajabu, hailed the project, which was officially launched in December 2025, emphasizing the government’s commitment to working with investors to create economic opportunities.

He noted that the fish farming project benefits many people across the fisheries value chain, strengthens household incomes, and contributes to increased revenue for the district council.

“Let us continue working closely with our partners at GGML. This should not be the end, we should explore ways to expand investment in fish production because we still have vast potential.

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“I also encourage members of the group to remain united and continue working together so that other groups joining the programme in the future can also benefit from this revolving fund,” he said.

Nkome Ward Councillor, Mr Sylivester Kahesi, said the project, along with other fish farming initiatives, has helped reduce illegal fishing while creating more opportunities in the fisheries sector.

The Chairperson of the Jiendeleze Mchangani Group, Mr Daniel Mazota, said the group has 31 members, adding that the first harvest yielded 4.8 tonnes of fish from a single cage.