The study assessed Viability of cage fish farming at Bugiri-Kiwuulwe sheltered shores near Avocado bay on Lake Victoria. Objectives include; assessment of water quality physico-chemical parameters within and around the cage fish farms, Investigated all material inputs used in fish cage fabrications and fish production, evaluated and found profitability of three particular cage fish farms. Using Neumann’s formula (2000), 66 respondents from a target population of 79 with ten cage fish farms having 240 fish cage units were interviewed using structured questionnaires where both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to generate data, which was entered into SSPS version 23 for analysis. Findings revealed 46 male and 20 female participants included 11 youths under 18 years but majority55 were adults. Education levels ranged from 5 who never went to school others went to primary to University. Majority 38 were singles with 23 married 3widows and 2 widowers.24 Majority had stayed for 1- 5 years, 20 were less than a year in cage fishery, and 22 had stayed for more than 5years. They earned from 1million shillings and above. All 66 respondents were involved in other economic activities.9 water samples at depths of 0.5mLake Surface, amid the water column and at 0.5m above Lake Bottom were collected in clean plastic laboratory bottles using a computerized multi-parameter probe machine to assess 22 major water parameters. Water Color was good for aquatic life. Alkalinity was in required range. Water pH was 7 and Temperature was 270Cat all points. Turbidity was as recommended and electrical conductivity was good for aquatic life. Total dissolved solids were within recommended range while Total hardness, Calcium hardness, Magnesium hardness, and Calcium were low. Magnesium was acceptable, Sodium was very good, but Potassium and Total Alkalinity were less than recommended. Bicarbonates, Sulphates, Chlorides and Nitrates were in required range. Nitrites were zero, safe and far from being lethal. Ammonium, Phosphates, and Silica were in required range. Oxygen and BOD were within recommended range but Chemical Oxygen Demand was less than recommended. Assessment of water quality ascertained the water was suitable for cage fishery.3 cages one square, one rectangular and one round shaped cages of 3 different sizes were evaluated. There were challenges of costly inputs, poor quality fish seed and feeds which accounted for highest cost, and lack of fish markets. In conclusion the study showed cage fish farmers paid all costs and remained with net profits so it is viable and environmentally sustainable. The study recommended for a cage fish farmer to start cage fishery a good business plan should be well written and followed to guide such farmers in the implementation. In the near future EIA must be undertaken by each cage fish farmer to generate mitigation measure since more new farmers are coming in with more fish cages from time to time. Cage fish farmers must be trained in Best Management Practices (BMPs) and adhere to them for sustainable and profitable cage fish production. Cage fish farmers at Bugiri-Kiwuulwe should manufacture own fish feeds to avoid poor quality and or the imported costly fish feeds to reduce fish feed costs since feed ingredients available in local markets are cheap. Cage fish farmers should breed parent stock and hatch own fish fry on-farm to avoid poor quality fish seed and other expenditures.

A Research Dissertation Submitted to the School of Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of A masters Degree in Natural Resource Management of Nkumba University