Jinja is gearing up for an exciting start to the festive season with the 7th edition of the Jinja Fish Festival and the Lake Victoria Marathon, scheduled for December 6–7, 2025. At a time when end-of-year activities are limited, this two-day event promises a vibrant celebration of culture, conservation, food, fitness, and community.
The festival brings together stakeholders from diverse sectors agriculture, water and environment, technology, manufacturing, trade, tourism, and youth and women’s groups creating a dynamic platform for learning, recreation, and networking. This year’s edition places strong emphasis on sustainable fisheries, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience.
Visitors can expect a wide array of activities. The Lake Victoria Marathon will rally runners around the cause of conservation, while the Nalubaale Boat Rowing Competitions will add thrilling action on the water.
The festival will also host the Sustainable Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environmental Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to responsible practices along the value chain.
Workshops and exhibitions will offer hands-on learning about aquatic biodiversity conservation, climate change resilience, and green city development highlighted through a community tree-planting initiative.
The event will be wrapped in live entertainment from top regional artists, whose performances will reinforce messages on sustainability and responsible fishing.
Food lovers will be treated to signature dishes from renowned restaurants, including Across the Nile Resort, C’sand, Fish Avenue, and Fish Drop by Yalelo.
From fish pizza and fish rolex to silverfish paste, the festival will showcase the diversity of Uganda’s fish cuisine. The event also pays homage to nostalgic flavours many Ugandans grew up with from roadside Nile perch with cassava to traditional mudfish enjoyed in childhood.
This year’s edition celebrates the vital role of small-scale fishers in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. The festival aims to highlight the social, economic, and environmental foundations of sustainable fishing, emphasising the principles behind FAO’s “Four Betters”: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.
The event is made possible through the collaboration of a wide network of partners, including the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (Chair, International Organising Committee), the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Chair, National Organising Committee), the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Ministry of Mining and Blue Economy (Kenya), the Food and Agriculture Organization, GIZ-SAF Project, UFPEA, Katosi Women Development Trust, Makerere University, NDAFIRRI, Sustainable Fisheries Initiative, Preventive Care International, AFALU, National Forestry Authority, IUCN, Join for Water, KUA Solar, Uganda Fishnet Manufacturers, World Wide Fund, and NBS Group as media partner.
As the countdown begins, the Jinja Fish Festival and Lake Victoria Marathon promise not only vibrant entertainment but also a strong reminder of the importance of preserving Lake Victoria’s resources for future generations.