New meteorology boss advocates for new weather ladders

By Agnes Nantambi  

The new executive director of the Uganda National Meteorological Authority, Festus Luboyera, has advocated for the procurement of new equipment to allow the experts predict accurate weather forecast.

He observed that the current weather equipment is very outdated and cannot predict accurate forecast which has turned out to be a very big problem especially to farmers.

After installation, as the new ED for the Authority, Luboyera stressed that poor equipment was responsible for the low morale among staff who had become reluctant on disseminating results.

"We do have some equipment but some of it is very old yet the new organisation has to improve and bring in modern equipment.

For instance we would like to have a ladder which covers the whole area of the environment of our atmosphere to be able to collect this information and disseminate it to the public, "said Luboyera.

He said; "For instance when airlines are doing their business, they want to know how the winds are in the atmospheres, what are the temperatures as they fly and we should be able to provide this."

The meteorology department was upgraded into an Authority to independently handle issues of meteorology and weather forecast.

This was after a decision by the council of ministers in the East African community, that meteorology services should be run autonomously to allow them delivers effectively.

Currently the Authority has the mandate to mobilize resources and recruit staff to adequately handle issues of weather forecast.

He said that the main focus of the Authority is to help the public understand the ravages of weather and climate.

"We collect data on temperatures, rain fall and measurements on water with an aim of promoting sustainable development," he said.

He explained that famers have for long operated oblivious of weather and climate patterns, but with the available information, this can help them improve.

He said that during his term will not be about sitting in office and making tough calculations but disseminating  meteorological information to the public.

"As business people market their businesses, this is yet to be witnessed at the Meteorological Authority; we are yet to move to the communities and disseminate the forecast information other than waiting for people to approach our offices to seek for it, "he explained.

The Board chairman, Robert Rutaagi, challenged him to commit himself towards work and also mobilize resources to enhance service delivery.

"Our current allocation is just peanuts depending on the task we have to take on, so you have to endure to serve diligently through mobilizing resources, "he advised.

Rutaagi applauded former acting ED Paul Isabirye towards for ensuring peaceful handle over of power saying others should emulate him.