More rain expected through December

The current rain is to continue into the remaining part of November and December as predicted in the seasonal weather forecast released two months ago, according to the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA). 

In an interview with New Vision, James Bataze, a Meteorologist at UNMA said the second rains which started two months ago have been good in most parts of the country.

"We expect more rain up to end of November," said Bataze, adding that the rain will decline in frequency in the third week of December.

"We still have rain and the country will continue receiving occasional rains at the end of December and early next year." 

Grow vegetables

In October, according to Bataze, central, western and eastern Uganda experienced the peak of the current rain season.

He advised against planting of seasonal crops pointing out that the remaining rain will not be sufficient for such crops.

"The farmers should take advantage of the remaining rain to plant vegetables," he said. "It is also important to store water to continue growing crops during the dry season."

Bataze said the rain has been sufficient for farming and food production across the country.

"The season has been good so far. Two months of the rain season have gone and we have the rain. We are still performing well in terms of rainfall."

"We have had a bumper harvest in most of the country and we have done much better than last year when we had crop failure" he added.

Disaster preparedness assessment

In a separate interview Martin Owor, a Commissioner in charge of disaster preparedness in the Office of the Prime Minister said an assessment about the food security situation in the country is being undertaken.

He said a meeting will be convened later this week to make recommendations.

Owor said officials from different departments and ministries such as Office of the Prime Minister, Agriculture and Water and Environment will attend the meeting.