The Uganda Atlas

NEMA 2008

Dried Mubuku River during the dry season, Kasese District. In

the background: Mt. Rwenzori ranges (2008)

Zone I Lake Victoria Basin

This zone is located around Lake Victoria and extends for a distance varying between

48-64 km inland from the lake shore. Rainfall varies from 1250 mm to over 2000 mm per

annum. Rainfall is received throughout the year with two rainfall peaks in April-May

and October-November; and two relatively low rainfall periods between December-

March and June-July. The rainfall peaks are associated with the onset of southeast

and northeast monsoon winds. Temperature, humidity, and wind patterns in this

zone display comparatively small variations throughout the year.

Zone II Karamoja

This zone is characterized by a long and hot dry season lasting from November to

March. It is the driest and hottest part of the country. There is a single rainy season

from April to August. Average annual rainfall is between 300 mm and 600 mm,

declining from west to east of the zone.

Zone III Western Uganda

This zone forms a relatively narrow belt along the entire western extremities of

the country. The eastern limits of the zone are, however, difficult to determine.

It includes the highland area of West Nile region, the escapement of the Albertine

rift valley, the rift valley, the South Western highland region, and the mountains

of Rwenzori and Muhavura. On the plateau, escarpment, and in the highlands

rainfall is about 1250 mm, while in the mountains it increases to over 2000 mm.

Generally, rainfall increases with altitude in the entire zone. The rift valley

section experiences low rainfall, with averages of less than 875 mm. Temperature

conditions vary widely from cold in the mountains, cool in the highlands to hot on

the rift valley floor.

Zone IV Acholi-Kyoga

The zone includes much of the northern and part of eastern Uganda. The average

rainfall is from 1250 mm to 1500 mm and mainly occurs between April and October

(Wet season). The dry period usually extends from November to March. Rainfall is

mainly convectional, characterized by afternoon and evening occurrences.

Zone V Southern Uganda

This zone extends from eastern to south-western Uganda, up to Rakai District. It

experiences double maxima rainfall patterns with averages ranging from 875 mm

to 1125 mm. The rainy seasons occur between April-May and September-November.

The zone experiences two dry seasons, from June to July and December to January.

The rainfall patterns in this zone are largely influenced by the maritime Lake Victoria

conditions and the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The rainfall is dominated

by thunderstorms of convectional nature.

Zone VI Mount Elgon

This zone experiences the main rains from March to September but with a sharp

dry spell in June, and with a dry period from December to February. The rainfall

patterns are influenced by both the orographic effects of the mountains and the

proximity to Lake Victoria, through increasing total rainfall and decreasing the

severity of the dry period. On the mountain foot hills and slopes, rainfall decreases

from south (1250-1500 mm) to north (1000 mm) with the northern slopes falling

within the rain shadow of the mountain.

Human settlements along the shores of Lake Victoria in Bugiri District.

The trees planted by communities did not effectively ameliorate

the effects of climatic extremes in the area as the regulations on

managememt of the catchment zone were not adhered to (2005)

Heavy rainfall triggered landslides on Mt. Elgon at Busayi

Bududa in November 1997; it destroyed 97 houses.

Maritime climatically influenced Lake Victoria plains at

Kakira in Jinja District (2008)

NEMA 2005

NEMA 2008