Rains expected, Government advises farmers

By Raymond Baguma
                                           
The Government has advised crop farmers countrywide to take advantage of the anticipated onset of the rainy season and prepare their fields for planting.

The ministry of water and environment yesterday released the seasonal rainfall forecast for March to May, revealing that the coming rainy season will have normal to above normal rainfall in most parts of the country.

The state minister for water, Flavia Nabugere Munaba presented the forecast to journalists at the Media Centre yesterday.

The forecast shows that eastern and south eastern Uganda districts of Jinja, Kamuli, Iganga, Bugiri, Luuka, Namutumba, Buyende, Kaliro, Busia and Tororo will receive near normal rains, with the rain season expected to peak in April through early May.

The districts of Pallisa, Budaka, Mbale, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Kapchorwa, Kumi, Soroti, Serere, Amolatar, Butaleja, Bulambuli, Kween, Bukwo, Bukedea, and Ngora will receive intense rains through the month of March. These districts will experience near normal to above normal rainfall.

The north eastern region which includes the districts of Katakwi, Moroto, Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Eastern Otuke, Napak, Amudat, Amuria, and Kaabong, the onset of steady rains is expected early April and relaxation is expected towards end of May.

In the northern districts of Lira, Kitgum, Agago, Western Otuke, Kole, Dokolo and Kaberamaido, the steady rains will begin late March to early April, peaking around mid-May to late May.

Also, the rainy season in Gulu, Apac, Western Pader, Lamwo, Nwoya, Amuru, Oyam and Kiryandongo districts will peak around late April to mid-May, lasting through the month of June.

In the north western districts of Moyo, Yumbe, Adjumani, Arua, Terego, Zombo, Nebbi, and Koboko, the rains will increase in the first week of April and ease around mid-June.

In the western region, the districts of Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kamwenge Masindi, Buliisa, Hoima and Kibaale, the rains will peak around early April to mid-April.  The region is expected to receive near normal to more rain than usual. This also includes the southwestern districts of Kisoro, Kabale, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Ibanda, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi and Kasese.

The central and Lake Victoria basin areas of Kalangala, Kampala, Wakiso, Eastern Masaka, Lwengo, South Mpigi, Butambala, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Gomba, and Mityana rains will intensify and peak in the first week of April until early June.

In Nakasongola, Luwero, Kyankwanzi, Nakaseke Kiboga, Mubende, Sembabule, Western Masaka, Lyantonde, and Rakai districts, rains are expected to start around mid-March. Mukono, Buikwe, Kayunga, Buvuma districts are currently experiencing the onset of steady rains which will peak around mid-April.

Michael Nkalubo, the commissioner for meteorology said that the weather forecast is up to 70 percent accurate. This means that some areas expected to receive normal rains may experience flood situations, while other areas expected to get a lot of rain, may experience poor rainfall distribution.

Annunciate Hakuza, the senior economist in charge of early warning activities in the ministry of agriculture advised farmers to start land clearing and preparation.

She also advised crops with a long maturity period like millet, rice, sorghum, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes should be planted at the start of rains, while quick maturing crops such as beans, and vegetables should be planted as rains progress.

She also advised that farmers especially those in highlands to establish conservation structures to prevent soil erosion. Also, farmers should guard against crop pests and animal diseases likely to be common during the rainy season.

Paul Mafabi the director of environmental affairs in the ministry said that there is need to issue flood advisories in low lying areas of the country and prepare for resettlements; as well as landslide advisories in highlands.

He also said that there is need for the public to be enlightened about lightning strikes, as well as increase waterborne disease surveillance and sensitize households on the need for water harvesting.