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Weather forecasters predict a good season for Uganda
Weather experts have good news that the March, April and May(MAM 2017)
rainfall season will be a blessing to Uganda with most of the country expected to
receive near normal rainfall apart from the Karamoja Region which is expected
to receive below normal rainfall.
Patrick Luganda, the Coordinator of the Network of Climate Journalists in the
Greater Horn of Africa (NECJOGHA) says that in the areas where there will be
below normal rainfall like Karamoja, MAM rains will likely have a negative impact
on food security and water availability in the region. Karamoja region will
experience serious water stress and therefore enhanced capacity for water
harvesting is recommended to support agricultural and other economic activities
after the cessation of the rains in this Uganda.
According to Forty Fifth Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum; the
regional consensus climate outlook for the March to May 2017 season indicates
an increased likelihood of below normal to near normal rainfall over north-eastern
Uganda, western Uganda has an increased probability for above to near normal
rainfall, increased probabilities of near to above normal rainfall are indicated over
much of central Uganda.
‘Ugandans are advised to optimize crop yields through appropriate land
management to produce enough food and have enough surpluses to sell to our
neighbours’.
In reference to the MAM 2017 Weather Report released by Uganda National
Meteorological Authority (UNMA) on Friday 17th February 2017, the Executive
Director UNMA, Festus Luboyera said since December most parts of the country
have been experiencing dry conditions on top of the failed September to
October rainfall season in Uganda. Hence, the predicted good rainfall season in
Uganda should be exhaustively used to revamp food security.
Considering the weather report Mr. Deus Bamanya, the director of applied
meteorology data and climate services at UNMA said that the MAM rainfall
season is good for Uganda in relation to our neighbouring countries and therefore
Ugandans are advised to optimize crop yields through appropriate land
management to produce enough food and have enough surpluses to sell to our
neighbours.
Speaking at the National Climate Café held at Uganda National Farmers
Federation (UNFFE) on 17th February 2017 Mr. James Bataze of UNMA said that in
general the MAM 2017 rainfall season is good to support social economic
activities in Uganda. He noted that there has been a lot of famine in the country
because of poor performance of September to December 2016 rainfall season.
He expressed that people should use this good weather forecast for MAM to plan
for their activities and revamp the economy and the communicators should
inform the general public to act accordingly.
The writer works with Farmers Media Link Centre
Ndahimana Epa – [email protected]