Diversity of fish species in Lake Bunyonyi, South-Western Uganda Kabale

Abstract

Fish is the cheapest and affordable protein from animal source (Guenard, 2021; Outa et al., 2020; Tibihika et al., 2015). The presence of Lake Bunyonyi provides a potential of Capture fisheries in Kabale and Rubanda district. The study investigated the diversity and abundance of fish species in lake Bunyonyi. From the study it showed that Lake Bunyonyi has five species of Cray fish, haplochromines, Nile tilapia, mudfish and catfish. The socioeconomic activities carried out around Lake Bunyonyi affect the abundance and diversity of fish species. This was evidenced with high conductivity (249 ± 3.6) at Harutinda landing site compared Karebu with low conductivity (244.64 ± 1.86). The temperatures at both landing site were very low since the lake is located at a lower altitude. The water parameters identified showed that the lake is capable of supporting aquatic life. However, much the socio-economic activities carried out around the lake affect the abundance of fish species and is attributed to the disappearance of some fish species. Therefore, the Lake should be managed properly to prevent extinction of some important aquatic animals that depend on fish as source of food.