Weather experts to issue 10-day seasonal forecast for farmers in central, western Uganda

Prospective farmers in central and western parts of Uganda should wait for a 10-day weather forecast to be released at the end of this week to guide their planting decisions.

The call was made by officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment in the department of meteorology in a telephone interview on Tuesday., September 23, 2025.

George William Omonyi, the manager of weather forecasting in the department of meteorology at the Ministry, said the short rains being experienced are a sign of the upcoming normal rains or stable rains meant for planting.

The clarification comes amidst a growing anxiety among farmers on whether to plant or wait for stable rains. According to forecast, the northern and eastern parts of Uganda are currently experiencing normal planting rains.

Dry conditions in some districts

As the above regions wait for normal rains, the ministry adds that dry conditions will continue in the districts of Kabale, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Rukiga, Rubanda, Bushenyi, Rubirizi, Mitooma, Buhweju, Sheema, and Rwampara till mid-September when the normal rains will start.

The peak of the seasonal rains is expected around late October to early November, while the cessation or the end of the rains will be around mid-December for the districts of Ntungamo, Isingiro, Mbarara, Ibanda, Kiruhura and Kazo, under the western region forecast.

In Rwenzori region, the districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Kabarole and Bunyangabu will have peak rainfall from late October to early November and will end in early to mid-December.

Eastern region

For eastern region, the districts of Bugiri, Busia, Mayuge, Namayingo and Tororo, the peak rains are expected in mid-October till December, while Mbale, Manafwa, Namisindwa, Bududa, Sironko, Bulambuli, Kapchorwa, Kween, and Bukwo will experience peak rains at the end of this month, and this will continue to October.

The heavy rains are expected to end from Mid to late November. For this region, residents should prepare for effects like floods that come alongside heavy rains, described by weather experts as above-average rainfall.

According to the weather forecast released at the start of this month, while the northern and eastern regions are experiencing normal planting rains, cattle corridors in the Southwestern region will not receive enough rain to grow enough pastures for their livestock.

The forecast adds that current rainfall drivers are the sea surface temperature anomaly over central Pacific Ocean, which is currently in a neutral state, with low chances of developing into La Niña conditions; an indication that the current rains will not have effects such as flooding.

Other drivers are the negative phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) index, which is expected to return to a neutral state as the season progresses; The positioning of the rainfall belt over the country due to the apparent movement of the overhead sun; The influence of the Congo Air mass, topographical features, and large inland water bodies, among others.