BUSIA POISED FOR FISHERIES BOOM AS EASSI LAUNCHES INCLUSIVE PROJECT FOR WOMEN AND YOUTH

In a transformative move for the Lake Victoria basin, Busia District stands to gain significantly from the "Building Inclusive and Safe Fisheries Economies for Young Women Markets" project, launched by the Eastern Africa Sub-Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI). The project which is funded by the Mastercard Foundation and TradeMark Africa, is an ambitious five-year program (2024–2029) targeting empowering women and youth in the fisheries sector across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Nigeria, and select island states.

Addressing stakeholders at the project inception event on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Chango Macho Hall, Joseline Komuhangi, EASSI's Deputy Executive Director, unveiled the initiative's bold vision. "This program aims to create 242,000 jobs continent-wide, tackling the unequal distribution of economic benefits in the rapidly growing fisheries market, where young men and women are often sidelined from higher-value opportunities," she declared. The project also seeks to dismantle barriers to women's safe and dignified participation, fostering inclusive growth.

For Busia, the benefits are immediate and targeted says Lina Asiimwe, Program manager Gender and economic Justice Project at EASSI. Implementation will focus on Majanji Sub-County, a key fisheries hub along the Lake Victoria basin, where local women and youth can access training, market linkages, and safety measures to elevate their roles from low-end labour to profitable ventures like processing and trading. The Principal Assistant secretary, Kayira Muhamud who represented the Chief Administrative Officer at the inception hailed the program as a game-changer, with the Senior Fisheries Officer, Egesa Eugine noting, "This could finally put money and dignity back into the hands of the women involved in the fishing sector."

“This project which targets young women between the ages of 18-35 will specifically enhance women’s economic empowerment in order to reduce sexual exploitation, abuse and Harassment (SEAH) which is widely prevalent in the fisheries sector”, added Lina responding to some of the questions raised by the stakeholders.

By bridging gender gaps and unlocking economic potential, the project promises to revitalize Busia's fisheries economy, creating sustainable livelihoods and positioning the district as a model for inclusive development in East Africa.