The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Special Envoy, Dr. António Keredo, praised Uganda's agricultural sector, noting its potential to become the world's breadbasket if properly utilized.

Keredo made the announcement during a farewell meeting with civil society and members of academia on the Buganda-Kampala route last Wednesday. Keredo left for his native Cape Verde and moved to Cameroon as the FAO Representative, after his six-year term in Kampala ended this month.

"I believe transformation is possible," Keredo said.

He emphasized the need for Uganda to preserve its ecosystem by intensifying efforts and ensuring environmental sustainability.

He added that despite Uganda having some of the best ecosystems in the world, there are still gaps in conservation, highlighted by increasing environmental degradation and increasing natural disasters such as floods.

Keredo urged civil society to "continue to empower the voices of poor women and youth to have a voice in resource allocation."

Agnes Keredo, Executive Director of the Food Rights Alliance, noted that under Keredo's leadership, FAO has given civil society ample space to participate, particularly in protecting food systems.

She said, "We look forward to the moment when every child can live to their full potential, and we ensure that no one lives an undignified life because they don't have a meal."

Grace Mosimane, Secretary-General of the Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services, said that under Keredo's tenure, FAO has helped Uganda combat several emergencies, including locusts and, more recently, the mango virus, which originated in West Africa.

Mosimane noted that thanks to Keredo's leadership, the FAO office in Kampala now holds land titles, after having had no titles for over 30 years.

She added, "They have brought about a lot of transformational change in Karamoja and helped farmers with land. Small holdings to express their opinions).