The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Mission Director Rick Somarriba and the Ugandan Minister of Agriculture, Vincent Ssempijja, have signed a declaration of partnership that affirms the two governments’ shared commitment to accelerating agriculture-led economic growth.
The partnership is aimed at increasing food security and enhancing resilience in collaboration with the private sector and development partners in Uganda.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Malac emphasized the U.S. government’s pledge to work with the government of Uganda through the Feed the Future initiative to transform the agricultural sector from one dominated by subsistence farming to a competitive, profitable and sustainable one.
“Uganda was re-selected by the U.S. Government as one of only twelve feed the Future target countries around the globe. This reinforces the partnership between the United States and Uganda and our commitment to improving food security and sustainable escapes from poverty,” Ambassador Malac said.
Prime Minister Rugunda praised the continued partnership between the two governments and the private sector boosting economic growth through agriculture.
Since 2011, the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative, together with the Ugandan government, has worked to improve agriculture and food security, providing assistance to close to two million Uganda farmers. Through the program, farmers and traders have increased sales by over $400 million, helping to improve people’s income and well-being.
The declaration of partnership s enshrines continued collaboration and shared goals between the United States and Uganda for the next five years.
