Ethiopian Agriculturist Ezana Kassa Appointed FAO Representative in Uganda
Kampala, Uganda The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has appointed Ezana Kassa as its new Representative in Uganda, a move expected to strengthen the country’s agrifood systems, rural livelihoods, and resilience programming.
The appointment was made by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu with the approval of the Government of the Republic of Uganda, according to a news release issued by the FAO Representation in Uganda on April 1, 2026.
Kassa succeeds Antonio Querido and follows Yergalem Taages Beraki, who has been serving in an acting capacity.
A national of Ethiopia, Kassa is a distinguished agriculturist with over a decade of experience in agriculture, rural development, food security, and resilience programming across the Horn of Africa. His career has been defined by delivering impactful interventions in complex and fragile environments while working closely with governments, humanitarian actors, and rural communities.
Speaking on his appointment, Mr Ezana Kassa expressed optimism about Uganda’s agricultural and food security potential.
“Uganda is famed as the Pearl of Africa and holds immense potential to become a beacon of food security and prosperity in the region. I am honored to join the FAO Uganda team and to work alongside the Government partners and rural communities to advance inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems that improve the lives of all Ugandans.”
He added that FAO will continue to support strategic investments aligned with global initiatives, including the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, to boost productivity, strengthen rural economies, and enhance livelihoods.
Kassa joined FAO in 2015 as a Project Manager in South Sudan, where he worked with communities to strengthen livelihoods and build resilience against recurrent shocks. He later served as Emergency Coordinator for FAO Somalia from 2019 to 2021, leading critical emergency and resilience interventions in collaboration with national authorities, United Nations partners, and humanitarian organizations.
Most recently, he served as Senior Programme Officer for FAO Somalia, providing strategic leadership and policy direction to the country programme. In this role, he guided programme planning and implementation, led the development of the Country Programming Framework, and represented FAO in key United Nations coordination platforms.
Before joining FAO, Kassa held senior leadership roles with international non-governmental organizations, including Country Director at Action Africa Help International and Programme Manager at Norwegian People’s Aid, where he managed large multidisciplinary teams and development programmes.
Academically, Kassa holds a Global Executive Master of Business Administration from United States International University in Nairobi, a Master of Science in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development from the University of London, and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Haramaya University in Ethiopia.
FAO has maintained a long-standing partnership with Uganda, supporting efforts to transform agrifood systems, strengthen resilience, and promote sustainable development. Kassa’s leadership is expected to deepen collaboration with government institutions, development partners, and farming communities at a time when agriculture remains central to Uganda’s economy and food security.
His appointment comes at a critical time when Uganda is strengthening its agrifood systems to improve productivity, enhance rural incomes, and build resilience against climate change and economic shocks.
