Uganda Atlas of Our Changing Environment - GRID-Arendal

Uganda experiences moderate temperatures
throughout the year because of its location astride
the equator and on a raised African plateau. The
highest temperatures of over 30 0 C are experienced in the
north and northeast of the country while temperatures
as low as 4º C are experienced in the highlands of the
southwest. Temperatures below 0ºC are registered on
the high mountains of Rwenzori and Elgon. The Rwenzori
mountains have a permanent ice cap whose size is
currently reducing, presumably due to global warming
(Uganda Met. Department, 2000; UBOS Statistical
Abstracts, 2006).
The high temperature records mean there is high
potential for water evaporation, which in turn affects
the water balance that influences the productivity of
the environment, including agriculture, the back bone
of Uganda’s economy. Potential evaporation in excess of
rainfall leads to water deficit and vice versa.
Temperature and rainfall are the most important
parameters of climate in Uganda; temperatures are an
important factor influencing rainfall and moisture, and in
general play a major role in the determination of agroecological
zones of the country.
Most areas experience high potential for water
evaporation in excess of rainfall. Therefore, sustainable
management of water resources is needed. Water balance
analysis in Uganda indicates that both areas of water
surplus and water deficit occur. Water surplus occurs
only around the high rainfall and low temperature areas
of Mt. Rwenzori and Mt. Elgon. The northern shores of
Lake Victoria show a slight surplus or an almost even
balance. Elsewhere, water deficits of varying degrees
occur, generally increasing from south-west to north-east
(Langlands 1974).
Because of its location around the equator, Uganda
experiences equal hours of day light and night throughout
the year, indicating that the country receives high solar
radiation. However, periods of sunshine vary slightly
during the day due to variations in cloud cover. The
periods of high sunshine in the country are associated
with lower relative humidity and a higher potential
for evaporation. For example, the Lake Victoria basin
experiences relatively low amounts of sunshine due to
the usually cloudy skies while the south western highlands
experience the lowest amounts of sunshine due to the
unusually high cloud cover and prolonged light rains.
4
Climate
Favourable climate in Manafwa District: Young men carry maize
to a grinding mill at the nearby market
NEMA 2008