Hybrid solar eclipse in pictures

Hundreds of locals and foreign visitors pitched camp at the strategic Owiny Primary School in Nebbi district to view a rare occurance of a hybrid solar eclipse on Sunday. President Museveni was the chief viewer at the historical event which was preceded by special prayers and entertainment.

Besides Uganda, totality was visible from the northern Atlantic Ocean (east of Florida), Gabon (landfall), R. Congo, DR Congo, South Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Several other places on the globe had partial darkening.

In case you missed out on first-hand viewing of the total solar eclipse here in Uganda, take a look at the people who did.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Mathias Mugisha, Eddie Ssejjoba, Ekol Joseph & Godfrey Ojore

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WHERE?: President Yoweri Museveni; Minister of tourism, Maria Mutagamba; Fisheries state minister, Ruth Nankabirwa.

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MOON OR SUN?: Here, the sun, appearing like a gibbous moon, is being eaten out of view by the moon.

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TOO HOT: Being a vantage view point, Owiny Primary School in the Nebbi district was a centre of local and foreign attraction.

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DELICATE SITUATION: This viewer did not take any chances and kept her whole face behind a mighty shield!

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CRESCENT-LIKE: The arched yellow slit of the sun representing moments before the total eclipse could occur.

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FUN STUFF: Miles away in Kampala, locals also hoped to be a part of the unique occurance. But did they?

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UNIQUE MOMENT: Locals in Lira district, closer to Nebbi than Kampalans are, glance skywards shielded by camera films.

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BLUISH GLIMPSE: At Soroti Sports grounds in Soroti town, a strategic point to chance at the eclipse, locals made the best out of the moment.

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BLACK PAPER: School children in Lira made it  a point not to be left out of this rare moment.

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CRAFTY WAY: Locals in Nebbi worked hard to seize the business opportunities that the event presented to them.

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A WATER-SKY AFFAIR: Expert advise had warned viewers against directly looking at the bright light during the eclipse. One safe way of viewing the eclipse was through water in a basin.

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WHATEVER IT TAKES: Every one wanted to catch sight of the much-hyped natural occurence which locals termed as the Battle of the Sun and the Moon.

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DUSK TOO EARLY: The Aru King views the eclipse with other local leaders at Owiny Primary School.

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SOLAR RING: The moment every one had waited for. Seconds later, it was ring was all gone and an eerie blackness filled the skies for about 50 seconds amid excitement and cheers before the sun re-appeared.

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FINALLY: President Yoweri Museveni autographs a soveneir in memory of the hybrid eclipse