The Uganda National Meteorological Authority-UNMA has warned of unusually heavy rainfall for the March-April May rainfall seasonal forecast.

The Uganda National Meteorological Authority-UNMA has warned of unusually heavy rainfall for the March-April May rainfall seasonal forecast.
According to a press statement dated 8th March 2023 released at the closure of a three day sub national climate outlook forum for western region at Hotel Triangle in Mbarara city, UNMA said that the current onset season rainfall is expected to reach the peak between mid to late April several parts of the country.
The press statement signed by col.Jerome Bashaija the coordinator operation wealth creation-Ankole sub region warns of potential disasters such flooding ,landslides, hail storms and strong winds which impact negatively in various sectors and districts. Floods are expected to occur in low lying areas and flash floods in urban areas such as Kasese while landslides are expected in high land areas of Rwenzori and Kigezi.

The forum organized under the theme “Early warning for crisis management ‘’was aimed at co-developing the sector specific advisories for the March-April-May season for south western Uganda and provide an interaction platform for decision makers, climate scientists users of climate information and development partners.
The forum also attracted various stakeholders including technical officials from different ministries, departments and agencies, media and farmers’ representatives.
Col. Bashaija who commended world food program that funded the forum asked the participants to use the knowledge acquired from the forum to inform communities especially farmers on the seasonal forecasts to help them in early preparations for disasters that may occur.

David Elwelu the executive Uganda national Meteorological Authority said that the authority will work with formed disaster management committees at district level that will be documenting disasters and its effects as evidence to the country to understand why weather forecasts are important as far as farming is concerned.
The forum was attended by chief administrative officers, production officers, health experts, farmers’ representatives, politicians and media from several districts in south western Uganda.

BY DIANE AMPAIRE – March 10, 2023