30 August 2017, Adjumani, Uganda - FAO Director-General Josè Graziano da Silva, flanked by FAO's country representative Alhaji M. Jallow and Uganda's Minister of Agriculture, Animal industries and Fisheries Hon. Vincent Sempijja addresses the media in Adjumani District. The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) José Graziano da Silva will make a three-day visit to Uganda from 29-31 August 2017. The visit aims to reaffirm FAO's commitment to the Government and people of Uganda in their efforts to support refugees and host communities.
Since July last year, more than 1 million people have fled violence in South Sudan and crossed into Uganda. The influx has become the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world.
During the trip, the Director-General will visit Agojo and Mungula 1 refugee camps in Adjumani district, where FAO is providing agricultural support. In recent years FAO has implemented more than US$ 3 million worth of projects to support South Sudanese refugees in Uganda, including providing them with locally-adapted and diversified seeds to grow quick-maturing, high-nutrient foods as well as with kits for livestock treatment, poultry production and micro-irrigation. Other projects have created new income opportunities, shared agricultural skills and helped address home energy issues.
The Director-General will also have the opportunity to hold high level meetings with key Government officials including the President, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, and the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Sempijja. The discussions will cover advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening collaboration and strategic partnership for a hunger-free Uganda.