Njeru, Jinja: De Heus Animal Nutrition, a global leader in animal feed solutions, has officially opened its brand-new fish feed factory in Njeru, Buikwe District marking a significant milestone for East Africa’s aquaculture sector. The opening ceremony, attended by His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni and distinguished guests including local and international dignitaries, highlights De Heus’ commitment to investing in Africa’s food security and
agricultural development.
The new De Heus aqua feed facility, strategically located in Njeru, Buikwe near Jinja a central hub for aquaculture will produce highquality fish feeds for farmers throughout East Africa.
At full capacity, the factory will supply up to 100,000 metric tons of fish feed annually, significantly reducing dependence on imports and improving feed access for fish farmers.
“We see tremendous potential in Uganda’s aquaculture sector, and this investment is a testament to our long-term vision for the region,” said Co de Heus, owner and Chairman Board of Directors.
“The new facility will not only
enhance the efficiency and quality of the fish feed supply chain but also support local crop farmers by sourcing ingredients like maize, cassava, and soybeans.”
In alignment with De Heus’ global strategy for sustainable growth, the factory is built with sustainability in mind, including a biomass boiler to minimize fossil fuel use and a focus on prioritizing local ingredients. This approach
minimizes environmental impact while strengthening Uganda’s agricultural sector.
“As this factory reaches full capacity, it will support up to 10.000 jobs on fish farms and buy crops from approximately 15.000 smallholder farmers. By transforming local crops into high-quality fish feed and fish, we are supporting a shift from importing to value-added production delivering the vision set forth by the Government of Uganda,” said Bon Tjeenk-Willink, MD De Heus Uganda.
Founded over a century ago, De Heus brings a legacy of Dutch agricultural innovation and global expertise in animal nutrition. Since entering the Ugandan market in 2015, the company has become a trusted partner to livestock and fish farmers, offering not only reliable products but also hands-on support and knowledge transfer to promote farmer profitability and regional food security.
The inauguration was graced by high-level government officials, ambassadors, and local leaders—underscoring the importance of this milestone for both De Heus and Uganda. The company’s ongoing collaboration with the Ugandan government and local communities aims to foster a thriving, commercially viable aquaculture sector while alleviating
pressure on natural fish stocks and supporting the nation’s long-term development goals.
With the opening of the Njeru fish feed factory, De Heus reaffirms its dedication to empowering farmers, boosting local
production, and fueling the expansion of sustainable aquaculture in Uganda and beyond.
“Today, I officially commissioned the De Heus Fish Feed factory in Njeru, Buikwe district. This development follows my recent PDM tour which included fish farming. I addressed the challenge of fish feed availability with the National Enterprise Corporation, and I am happy to see this solution through private sector investment from the Netherlands”, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said at the opening ceremony.
He said the factory fills a vital gap, calling on Ugandans to now produce quality raw materials like maize and sunflower and evaluate soybean profitability with farmers, possibly forming an association for soybean growers.
“I am also pleased that my initiative to shift farmers from rice cultivation in swamps to fish farming is gaining traction, protecting the Nile and our water resources. I thank the investors from the Netherlands for investing in Uganda and wish them good luck,” The President added.