A fish transfer permit in Uganda is a legal document required for moving fish within the country for aquaculture or research purposes. The permit is issued by the Chief Fisheries Officer under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) to ensure all fish transfers meet national health and environmental safety standards.
Applicants intending to transfer fish must submit a formal request at least three days before the planned transit. The application should be completed using Form C, as outlined in the Fisheries Regulations, and addressed to the Chief Fisheries Officer. The form must include details such as the species, number, origin, destination, and purpose of the transfer.
Alongside the application, the applicant must attach several key documents — including a Fisheries Health Certificate that verifies the fish are disease-free, an invoice, packing list, and Air Waybill or Bill of Lading. Additionally, if the transfer involves export or import, an Import or Export Permit from the destination country must be provided to confirm that the transfer is authorized.
Applicants should also visit authorized fisheries laboratories for testing to support certification of fish quality and safety. After verification, and once the prescribed permit fee has been paid, the Chief Fisheries Officer issues the fish transfer permit authorizing movement within or across borders.
Before approval, a Fisheries Inspector at the port of entry or exit conducts a general health inspection of the fish in transit. If any concerns arise, the fish may be quarantined or disinfected according to international health protocols established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The applicant bears the cost of any quarantine measures taken.
If the Chief Fisheries Officer deems the transfer unsafe — for instance, if the fish pose risks of genetic contamination, ecosystem degradation, or loss of native species — the permit may be refused. In such cases, the reasons for denial are communicated in writing.
Applications should be submitted to:
Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources
Directorate of Fisheries, MAAIF
Plot 16–18 Lugard Avenue, Entebbe, Uganda
P.O. Box 102, Entebbe
Tel: 041 4320004 | Email: [email protected]
Processing of a fish transfer permit takes approximately two working days, provided all requirements are met. The permit remains valid for one year, expiring on December 31 each year. Both Ugandan residents and foreign nationals with valid fishing licenses or tourist visas are eligible to apply.
Applicants must provide comprehensive information, including the species and strain of fish, their health condition, source, destination, and purpose of transfer. They must also include quarantine guarantees if the fish are being moved to regions where those species do not naturally occur.
The fish transfer permit helps maintain biosecurity within Uganda’s aquaculture sector, ensuring that all movements of live fish or aquatic organisms are traceable, disease-free, and environmentally sustainable. By obtaining this permit, fish farmers and traders contribute to the protection of native species and the long-term growth of Uganda’s fisheries industry.
