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Kampala, Uganda — In a diplomatic engagement underscoring the centrality of agriculture to Uganda’s development agenda, Hon. Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar today received Letters of Credence from Ezana Getahun Kassa, the newly appointed representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, during a formal ceremony marked by cordial exchange and renewed commitment to sustainable development cooperation.The presentation of credentials signified the formal commencement of Mr. Kassa’s diplomatic mandate in Uganda, reinforcing longstanding collaboration between the Government of Uganda and FAO in advancing agricultural transformation, food security, and rural development.
Welcoming the newly accredited envoy, Hon. Odongo Jeje reaffirmed that agriculture remains the backbone of Uganda’s economy, sustaining the livelihoods of the majority of the population and anchoring national development priorities. He observed that while Uganda continues to pursue modernization of its agricultural systems, equal attention must be given to preserving indigenous knowledge systems that have historically supported resilience in rural communities. The Minister emphasized that agricultural transformation must be approached as a balanced process one that integrates innovation with cultural and social realities. He noted that climate change has intensified the urgency for adaptive strategies, particularly in relation to unpredictable rainfall patterns, land use pressures, and food production systems.
In his remarks, Hon. Odongo Jeje highlighted the importance of emerging agricultural technologies, including biotechnology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), while underscoring that their adoption must be guided by careful assessment of Uganda’s socio-economic conditions and cultural context. He reiterated that national policy remains anchored in safeguarding both productivity and identity, stating that development must not come at the expense of heritage. Uganda’s geographical advantage, particularly its equatorial climate, was also highlighted as a strategic asset for agricultural productivity. The Minister noted that the country’s favorable climatic conditions allow for year-round cultivation, offering significant potential for both domestic food security and export-oriented agricultural growth. However, he cautioned that increasing climate variability continues to present challenges that require coordinated, multi-sectoral responses. He further emphasized Government’s commitment to strengthening institutional collaboration across ministries and development partners to ensure a coherent approach to agricultural transformation. According to the Minister, sustainable progress in the sector depends on aligning policy, research, and implementation frameworks under a unified national vision.
In his response, Mr. Ezana Getahun Kassa expressed appreciation for the warm reception extended to him and reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s agricultural development priorities. He commended Uganda’s natural endowment and agricultural potential, describing the country as a strategic partner in advancing regional and global food security objectives. Mr. Kassa further observed that agriculture inherently intersects with multiple sectors, including environment, trade, health, and infrastructure, and therefore requires broad-based institutional engagement. He requested facilitation to engage with relevant Government entities beyond the Ministry responsible for agriculture, in order to support a more integrated approach to programme implementation.
In response, Hon. Odongo Jeje welcomed the proposal, affirming Uganda’s openness to coordinated and structured collaboration through established diplomatic and institutional channels. He underscored the importance of maintaining coherence in external engagements to ensure alignment with national priorities and development frameworks. The discussion also reflected shared concern over global food systems, climate resilience, and the need for strengthened technical cooperation. Both parties acknowledged that sustainable agricultural development is increasingly linked to broader issues such as environmental sustainability, population growth, and global supply chain stability.
The meeting concluded on a note of mutual commitment to deepen cooperation between Uganda and FAO, with a focus on enhancing technical support, promoting innovation, and advancing inclusive agricultural development. Both sides expressed confidence that strengthened collaboration will contribute meaningfully to improving food security and livelihoods across Uganda. As Uganda continues to position agriculture at the centre of its economic transformation agenda, partnerships with international organizations such as FAO remain critical. The engagement reaffirmed a shared understanding that sustainable agricultural progress requires not only investment and technology, but also respect for local context, institutional coordination, and long-term strategic alignment.
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