From June 24–27, 2025, Entebbe, Uganda, became the global hub for aquaculture excellence during the World Aquaculture Safari Conference and Exposition. Experts, policymakers, and students from around the world gathered to exchange groundbreaking research, insights, and innovations shaping the future of sustainable aquaculture.
Gerald Kwikiriza had the opportunity to present his manuscript at the Lake Victoria special session, where he interacted with various research professionals and policymakers dedicated to conserving the Lake Victoria fishery. The title of his presentation was ‘Genetic characterization and interspecies gene flow among the Oreochromis species in the Lake Victoria and Kyoga basins, Uganda: Implications for conservation’. He was motivated to conduct this research by the realisation that the genetic integrity of Oreochromis species has been compromised by competition, predation, hybridization, and introgression. These pressures have led to a decline in native Oreochromis species, particularly Singida tilapia (O. esculentus), which is now mostly confined to satellite lakes in Uganda. Relatively few studies in Uganda focus on the genetic monitoring and conservation of Oreochromis species. Therefore, understanding the current distribution and genetic status of both native and introduced Oreochromis species is crucial for developing effective conservation and aquaculture management strategies. The results of the study indicated that some satellite lakes still harbor genetically pure stocks of O. esculentus, while introgressive hybridization with O. niloticus was detected in Lake Bisina. These findings highlight the need for site-specific conservation efforts that prioritise protecting habitats with genetically intact native populations and limiting further hybridization risks. Read more about his publications.
Gerald Kwikiriza has been a PhD candidate at the Institute for Integrative Nature Conservation Research at BOKU University in Austria since 2022. His research project investigates the ecological and genetic impacts of aquaculture on native tilapia species in Uganda’s lake systems. Before starting his PhD, Gerald served as a research assistant at the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences at Makerere University. He holds an International Joint Master's Degree in Limnology and Wetland Management from BOKU University (Austria), Egerton University (Kenya), and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (the Netherlands).
