The Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) is advising farmers to proceed cautiously and avoid being lured by current rain into early planting of seasonal crops.
Throughout much of this month (July), the unusual weather patterns have sparked concerns among farming communities, as traditionally, July is typically associated with dry weather, and preparation of land after the June harvest season.
However, this year has seen abnormal rainfall, contrary to UNMA’s earlier forecasts issued in June predicting a dry season in the southern regions, including the south western areas, central region, Lake Victoria basin, and parts of the eastern region.
Yusufu Nsubuga, a meteorologist at UNMA, points out that changes in weather patterns have been attributed to southern hemispheric systems shifting the rain belt away from the northern sector.
The meteorologists had forecasted that only the northern sector would receive above-normal rains during this period, and Nsubuga observed the possibility of some rainfall activity in the southern sector over the next ten days (up to the end of July).
However, he cautioned that despite the current lower position of the rain belt due to prevailing conditions, this pattern could shift, leading to the onset of the expected dry season across the southern sector in August.
He said farmers in the southern part of the country, including the southwest, central region, and the Lake Victoria basin, who are cultivating fast-growing crops like vegetables, should harvest water from the current rains to use for irrigation at times when the rains stop.
For those growing seasonal crops, Nsubuga advises patience, recommending that they wait for the normal rain season, forecasted to begin towards the end of September with precipitation levels ranging from near-average to average.
Despite the advisory, several farmers in the central and southwestern regions have already begun planting seasonal crops such as maize. Using their local knowledge, some farmers like Alice Namukasa recognize the risk but express concerns that waiting until the normal planting season may coincide with the cessation of rains.
Similar weather patterns are expected in Kitgum, Pader, and Agago districts in the Acholi sub region.
In the Karamoja sub region, significant rainfall is forecasted for Karenga, Kaabong, Kotido, Moroto, Napak, and Nabilatuk districts.

Source: URN