Understanding climate is simple. Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in a particular area. In Uganda, you have possibly noticed that our weather can change from hour to hour, day-to-day, month-to-month or even year to year. One minute, you may dress up with the belief that it might rain cats and dogs outside because of the dark clouds- in the next minute you will be confused about the amount of sunshine that will hit your face outside the door.
Uganda’s climate is known to be equatorial, with varied microclimates influenced by factors such as altitude, proximity to lakes, and regional topography. It’s a relatively stable climate, with minor variations between seasons. We have two major seasons throughout the year namely:
Wet Seasons: Uganda is blessed with two main wet seasons, the first wet season, known as the “long rains,” occurs from March to May. During this period, rainfall is more widespread and heavier, especially in the southern and eastern parts of the country. The second wet season, known as the “short rains,” takes place from October to November. Rainfall during this season is typically lighter and more sporadic.
Dry Seasons: Uganda experiences two dry seasons. The “long dry season” occurs from December to February when rainfall is minimal across the country. The “short dry season” occurs from June to August, characterized by lower precipitation levels but occasional showers in some regions.
Over the years, this has significantly changed, while ideally this current season would be known to be a wet season, and the rains have been unpredictably inconsistent.
WHAT CONDITIONS INFLUENCE UGANDA’S CLIMATE?
Due to Uganda’s diverse geography, there are regional climate variations. The southwestern part of the country, including areas around the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, experiences higher rainfall and cooler temperatures. The northeastern regions, such as Karamoja, have a more arid climate with lower rainfall and higher temperatures.
Uganda’s climate is also influenced by the presence of large water bodies. The major water bodies include Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoka among others. The lake or any large water source acts as a source of moisture and affects local precipitation patterns. Areas near Lake Victoria, including Kampala and Entebbe, may experience more moderate rainfall compared to other regions.
Altitude plays a major role in Uganda’s climate. As the saying goes; the higher you go, the cooler it becomes. Higher altitude areas, such as the Rwenzori Mountains and Mount Elgon, experience cooler temperatures and higher rainfall due to orographic effects. These areas can also exhibit different weather patterns on the mountain slopes compared to the surrounding lowlands.
In the new climate change plan known as the Nationally Determined Contribution, Uganda has increased its ambition to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 22% to 24.7%. Greenhouse gas emissions refer to the release of gases into the atmosphere that have the potential to trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change. These gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, preventing it from escaping into space and causing the Earth’s temperature to rise. This is a major part of the reason why our climate is drastically changing.
Uganda’s climate provides favourable conditions for its diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, savannahs, wetlands, and highland areas. You might have heard many testify that Uganda is an easy country to live in. Our country’s varied climate supports our rich biodiversity and contributes to its status as a popular ecotourism destination.
While this is all fine and dandy, it is hard to miss that today, the above three elements are not the only elements affecting Uganda’s climate today. Our past discussions over the past weeks have shown that a global crisis is upon us, and Uganda is not excluded. It is our role as citizens of Uganda to take a stand and save our country.
“We need to see the climate crisis as a human rights issue.”
-Vanessa Nakate