Uganda Scientists Push For Black Soldier Fly Farming As Dual Solution For Waste & Feed Shortages

By Frank Kamuntu 

Scientists, policymakers, and private sector players on Monday convened at the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) in Kajjansi, Wakiso District, to explore how Black Soldier Fly (BSF) farming could be mainstreamed into Uganda’s waste management and agricultural systems.

The high-level meeting spotlighted fresh research and policy findings demonstrating that BSF farming can transform organic waste into nutrient-rich animal feed and organic fertiliser—offering a double solution to Uganda’s mounting waste disposal challenges and the escalating costs of fish and livestock feed.

Richard M. Mugambwa, Waste Sector Inspector at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), underscored the initiative’s alignment with Uganda’s constitutional obligation to safeguard the environment.

“Our duty is to ensure that policies, laws and standards make waste useful, and Black Soldier Fly farming is one of the options that can help achieve this,” Mugambwa stated.

The deliberations come at a time when government is finalising a National Waste Management Policy, following Cabinet directives last year. The draft emphasises waste segregation at source, reuse and recycling, and new by-laws from local governments to accelerate Uganda’s transition toward a circular economy.

Presenting findings from the Swift Project, Makerere University lecturer Dr Florence Lwiza noted that although Uganda has comprehensive frameworks on waste, feed and fertiliser management, insects are yet to be fully integrated.

“Science generates the evidence, but policy determines whether recommendations will be implemented. Without clear guidelines, BSF enterprises face uncertainty, inconsistent enforcement and high compliance costs,” Dr Lwiza observed.

Her study identified three critical policy gaps:

1. The absence of a legal category for “waste-to-feed,” which complicates BSF enterprises’ access to organic waste.
2. Lack of clear recognition of frass—the nutrient-dense residue from BSF farming—in Uganda’s fertiliser standards.
3. Overlapping institutional mandates among NEMA, MAAIF, UNBS, and local governments, leading to regulatory confusion and weak enforcement.

Private sector actors welcomed the prospects of BSF farming, particularly for farmers burdened by surging feed costs. Piotr Barczak of Africa Circular hailed the technology as practical and affordable.

“The larvae eat organic waste very fast and in just two or three weeks you get proteins and fats useful for animals. Instead of importing soya or depleting fish stocks, we can raise Black Soldier Fly locally. It is low-tech, accessible, and every farmer can do it,” Barczak explained.

He added that farmers already producing waste, such as poultry droppings or vegetable scraps, can rear BSF without additional inputs apart from labour. Africa Circular has also developed a simplified rearing model that requires only a few hours of work weekly, making it viable for both smallholders and commercial farms.

NARO scientists further outlined the BSF life cycle, explaining how eggs laid on organic waste hatch into larvae within days. The larvae consume waste for about two weeks before reaching the pre-pupae stage, at which point they can be harvested for animal feed or allowed to mature into adult flies to sustain production.

Experts also pointed to emerging regional and global market opportunities. Uganda has already rolled out edible insect standards through the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), while the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Action Plan provides a foundation for harmonising BSF regulations across the continent—opening the door for cross-border trade in BSF products.

The meeting concluded with a series of recommendations, including lowering compliance costs for small enterprises, integrating BSF training into agricultural extension services, and aligning Uganda’s regulatory frameworks with international best practices.

Participants unanimously agreed that with coherent policies and stronger institutional backing, BSF farming could significantly reduce Uganda’s waste burden, ease reliance on costly feed imports, enhance soil fertility, and open new income streams for farmers.

What is the Black Soldier Fly (BSF)?

The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) is an insect that thrives in warm climates and naturally feeds on organic waste such as market leftovers, food scraps, and animal droppings. Its life cycle begins when adult flies deposit eggs on decaying material. Within days, these hatch into larvae that voraciously consume waste until they reach the pre-pupae stage, when they can either be harvested or left to mature into adult flies, sustaining the breeding cycle.

BSF larvae are exceptionally rich in protein and fat, making them a highly valuable feed source for fish, poultry, and pigs. They can be used directly or processed into longer-lasting meal. By replacing conventional feed sources such as soy and fishmeal, BSF farming provides a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative.

Beyond animal nutrition, BSF farming addresses waste management challenges by converting organic matter that would otherwise decay into productive resources. The residue left after larvae feeding—known as frass—serves as a potent organic fertiliser that boosts soil health.

This dual role in both animal rearing and crop production positions BSF farming as a transformative tool for sustainable agriculture and circular economy development.