Ugandan Mukene is a type of small fish species that is found in the fresh waters of Lake Victoria shared by the three east African countries. Uganda Kenya and Tanzania. Mukene is the Ugandan name for this small fish, Omena is the Kenyan name while Daaga is the Tanzanian name.
An abundance of the small mukene fish in lake victoria is a blessing to the people of Uganda. Mukene is cheap is cheaper to purchase compared to other fish species yet it is highly potent and nutritious in its small size.
MUKENE ENGLISH NAME AND SPICES
Mukene/ silver fish is the popular name for a very tiny type of fish found in Lake Victoria in Uganda. The English name for mukene is Syliver Cyprinid or Lake Victoria Sardine. The locals in Uganda call it mukene or silver fish, while in Kenya it is called omena and Daaga in Tanzania.
Silvercyprinid/ Lake victoria sardine is a small silvery fish that grows up to 9cm (3.5) inches found in the fresh waters of Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is being shared by the three east African countries Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. They also share this tinny fish.
FISHING THE MUKUNE IN LAKE VICTORIA
Fishing of mukene is done on moonless nights with the use of artificial light sources to attract the fish. Initially, fishers used kerosene pressure lamps to attract the fish in Uganda. Industrial fishing rigs were imported in Uganda which improved the catch of mukene made per night. The high price difference in these two sources of light became a limiting factor to mukene harvest. But more and better light is equal to a more abundant catch of mukene.
PRESERVING MUKENE IN UGANDA
Mukene caught by fishers at night is sold off to wholesale traders when still wet and fresh. The traders comprised mainly women spread the mukene out on bare ground or gravel to dry. Improved methods and more healthy methods of drying the fish include; mukene is spread out on old fishing nets to dry at landing sites, raised racks have also been created on some landing sites for use in the drying of mukene.
CONSUMPTION OF MUKENE
70% of mukene fished in Uganda is used for human consumption with several delicious mukene recipes while the remaining 30% is used as animal feed in dog feed recipes and chicken feeds. Mukene in Uganda was related to poverty and treated as food for the poor people. More scientific research into the healthy nutrients and benefits of eating mukene has revealed that mukene is a highly nutritious fish that should not be ignored. The attitude of the people towards mukene has changed with increasing business in mukene and value addition to the fish. Mukene is currently consumed in different ways and is therefore packed for value addition and sold in many different supermarkets in Uganda.
HEALTHY BENEFITS OF YOUR DOG EATING MUKENE
Mukene has polyunsaturated fatty acids like Omega 3 and Omega 6 that are good for keeping the heart and the brain Healthy.
Mukeneis rich in vitamin A and E which promote good eye vision. Vitamin A aids ai good night vision.
Mukene contains amino acids which boost the general body immunity and helps to fight diseases.
Mukene has proteins that are essential for building the body, repairing tissues and good skin.
Mukene also has calcium which is good for strengthening bones since it is eaten with bones that contain calcium.
Many urban Ugandan families have grown the love to have improved varieties of foreign dogs in their homes for security purposes. But many struggle to find the right food for the fragile exotic breeds like german Shepard which has often resulted in many people losing their dogs. Mukene and posho are some of the human foods that can be used as dog food in Uganda.
MUKENE AND POSHO DOG FOOD RECIPE
INGREDIENTS FOR 1 DOG
1 Cup of Posho Flour
¼ a cup of Mukene
2 cups of water
METHOD
You place your saucepan over a moderate source of heat and then add in the two cups of water. Then you add in the mukene. You then place a cover over your saucepan to bring your water to a boil.
ADVANTAGES OF ALWAYS PUTTING A COVER OVER YOUR SAUCEPAN
- Covering your saucepan will bring the water to boil faster than when it is not covered. Covering the pot prevents vapour from escaping enabling the temperature to rise more quickly.
- It helps save on the on the energy you use for cooking, the water boils in less time saving on the cooking energy like charcoal, gas, kerosene, electricity
When your water is boiling you can now make your posho. You add bits of posho flour to the water as you mix and mingle the posho. You continue adding the flour bit by bit as you mingle to form a soft solid consistency. You can then wait for a few minutes to let the posho get readily cooked. Put it off the fire and let it cool. The posho for the dogs should be soft and not very hard. You are advised to use whole maize flour to benefit from all the nutrients found in maize instead of over-processed posho flour.
Note. Do not add salt or sugar to this recipe or any other seasonings, these are not good for your Dog
When the posho has cooled down serve it to your dog on its plate. Give your dog water too to help in the digestion of this meal. Make it a habit to maintain a good routine of checking on how well your dog is eating by checking on the dishes right after. If your dog does not finish its usual plate of food you may need to find out what the cause might be.
Make it a habit to clean the utensils that you use to feed your dog immediately after its meal for proper hygiene and sanitation. This can save you from making frequent visits to your vet and the better health of your dog.