By Gerald Tenywa
The whole of Uganda except Karamoja and neighbouring Teso should expect favourable rain until the end of October, according to a weather update released by the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA).
“The entire country is expected to be much wetter with the exception of the Karamoja region,” UNMA says.
This is contained in UNMA’s 10-day (October 21–31, 2023) weather update sent to New Vision Online on October 25, 2023.
The top authority in Uganda on weather says wetter than usual conditions will prevail over the entire western sector of the country, covering West Nile and Rwenzori regions, Kabale and Kisoro in the south.
Other wetter areas include the central cattle corridor, parts of Acholi, areas around and within Lake Victoria, the Elgon sub-region and the southern and eastern Lake Kyoga basin.
Temperature
Regarding temperature, UNMA says temperatures are likely to remain high.
“Warmer conditions, but to some extent hotter ones, are expected in the northern part of the country, particularly in parts of West Nile, Acholi and Lango regions than the rest of the country,” UNMA says.
The highest maximum temperatures are expected to lie in the range of 28 and 32 degrees Celsius: “The lowest temperatures of up to 8 degrees Celsius are forecast to occur over the much higher areas in the highlands of Rwenzori and Elgon, but 8 degrees Celsius to 10 degrees Celsius are expected in the extreme southerly areas of southwestern. The areas in the cattle corridors in central and southern, as well as south of Lake Kyoga, are expected to experience minimum temperatures between 14 degrees Celsius and 16 degrees Celsius,” stated UNMA.
Advisories
While rain is favourable to agriculture, the potential hazards expected to occur are flash floods, waterlogging and contamination of water sources due to increased surface runoff into such sources. Also, disruption of traffic flow is expected as some bridges may be washed away or collapse, according to UNMA.
The rain is expected to be accompanied by good pasture growth and availability in the cattle corridor for livestock.
In their advisory, UNMA says that the unnecessary use of pesticides and herbicides should be discouraged because surface runoff will carry such chemicals into water sources used by communities and in fish ponds, affecting their productivity.
Also, communities in the entire cattle corridor, both northern and eastern, are advised to put in place water storage facilities for harvesting rainwater to use during periods when rains may relax.
In addition, farmers should engage in the pruning of tree crops in western Uganda. The construction of drainage channels is advised to be undertaken in all low-lying areas of the West Nile, central, and eastern regions to minimise stagnation of water.
At the same time, farmers should monitor and report any emergence of crop pests, animal parasites, and plant diseases to technical staff in the sub-county and district.
The population should take advantage of the rains and plant trees as a venture to reduce hailstorm damage to crops but also as an income-generating project for meeting future household needs.
Communities are encouraged to drink safe water for good health, particularly in rural areas, as water sources are often contaminated during rainy seasons, according to UNMA.
Urban authorities should clear or open up drainage channels to avoid overflows and over-flooded roads, according to UNMA.
