Uganda’s temperature to rise by 1.5 degrees
Nov 26, 2009
UGANDA’S average temperature will increase by up to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next 20 years as a result of global warming, according to the State of the Uganda Population Report, released yesterday by finance minister Syda Bbumba.
By Raymond Baguma
UGANDA’S average temperature will increase by up to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next 20 years as a result of global warming, according to the State of the Uganda Population Report, released yesterday by finance minister Syda Bbumba.
“Climate change is likely to increase average temperatures in Uganda by up to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next 20 years and by up to 4.3 degrees Celsius by the 2080s,†the report, authored by the Population Secretariat, says.
“Such rates of increase are unprecedented,†the study added.
In addition, climate change in Uganda will lead to more erratic weather patterns. The report predicts an increase in rainfall but unevenly distributed, with more intense and more frequent showers, leading to floods and landslides, as well as more severe and longer spells of drought.
The changes in temperature are likely to have a significant impact on water resources, food security, health and infrastructure, the study says.
In terms of water resources, it notes that River Rwizi in Mbarara and River Nyamwamba in Kasese are already drying up, while the water levels of Lake Wamala, Lake Kyoga and Lake Victoria are going down.
“Since Lake Victoria receives 80% of its water from direct rainfall and 20% from basin discharge, climatic contributions cannot be ignored,†the report says, noting that water levels dropped to alarmingly low levels in December 2005.
Climate change will also impact on agriculture and food security. The study projects a loss in agricultural productivity in Uganda of between 15% and 25%.
It also predicts a shift in the viability of coffee- growing areas, potentially wiping out $266m or 40% of export revenue.
“The food crisis in the country threatens to reach alarming levels,†the report notes, estimating that currently 40% of deaths among children in Uganda are due to malnutrition.
“Given that Uganda’s annual population growth rate is 3.2%, while the annual growth rate of food production is only about 1.5%, the food crisis is worsening.â€
In terms of health, temperature increase has extended the habitats of mosquitoes, with highland areas that were historically malaria-free, such as Kabale, Kisoro and Rukungiri, now also experiencing epidemics.
The report shows an increase in the cases of malaria in the last 10 years ranging from 23% in Rukungiri to 135% in Mbarara.
In addition, it says “rising temperatures help mosquitoes breed more, bite more and live longer.â€
The study lists several other diseases, affecting people, animals and plants, that are on the rise as a result of climate change, such as cholera and dysentery caused by floods and respiratory diseases caused by prolonged dry spells.
The tsetse fly belt has expanded, resulting into increased cases of sleeping sickness, nagana and the associated drug resistance.
In Katakwi, grasshopper epidemics in 2005 destroyed all cereals, the main source of food security in Usuk county. Also, armyworms have been reported in Wakiso, Tororo and Pallisa districts, while Newcastle disease epidemics in poultry have been more frequent in Rakai and Soroti.
The weather changes will also trigger migrations and competition for strategic resources, leading to regional insecurity, according to the study.
It calls for the implementation of regulations aimed at preserving the environment, such as dealing decisively with encroachers and illegal timber loggers.
It also recommends erecting more boreholes, protecting water resources, and setting up early warning systems and seasonal forecasts to allow farmers adjust to the changing weather conditions.
“It is necessary to strengthen the capacity of the Department of Meteorology to enable it provide efficient, timely and reliable weather and climate information.â€
The report also calls for the involvement of women in measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“In urban areas, women are capable of implementing energy efficient programmes at the household level, while women in rural areas can be trained to use biomass and biogas in addition to promoting solar energy.â€
UGANDA’S average temperature will increase by up to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next 20 years as a result of global warming, according to the State of the Uganda Population Report, released yesterday by finance minister Syda Bbumba.
“Climate change is likely to increase average temperatures in Uganda by up to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next 20 years and by up to 4.3 degrees Celsius by the 2080s,†the report, authored by the Population Secretariat, says.
“Such rates of increase are unprecedented,†the study added.
In addition, climate change in Uganda will lead to more erratic weather patterns. The report predicts an increase in rainfall but unevenly distributed, with more intense and more frequent showers, leading to floods and landslides, as well as more severe and longer spells of drought.
The changes in temperature are likely to have a significant impact on water resources, food security, health and infrastructure, the study says.
In terms of water resources, it notes that River Rwizi in Mbarara and River Nyamwamba in Kasese are already drying up, while the water levels of Lake Wamala, Lake Kyoga and Lake Victoria are going down.
“Since Lake Victoria receives 80% of its water from direct rainfall and 20% from basin discharge, climatic contributions cannot be ignored,†the report says, noting that water levels dropped to alarmingly low levels in December 2005.
Climate change will also impact on agriculture and food security. The study projects a loss in agricultural productivity in Uganda of between 15% and 25%.
It also predicts a shift in the viability of coffee- growing areas, potentially wiping out $266m or 40% of export revenue.
“The food crisis in the country threatens to reach alarming levels,†the report notes, estimating that currently 40% of deaths among children in Uganda are due to malnutrition.
“Given that Uganda’s annual population growth rate is 3.2%, while the annual growth rate of food production is only about 1.5%, the food crisis is worsening.â€
In terms of health, temperature increase has extended the habitats of mosquitoes, with highland areas that were historically malaria-free, such as Kabale, Kisoro and Rukungiri, now also experiencing epidemics.
The report shows an increase in the cases of malaria in the last 10 years ranging from 23% in Rukungiri to 135% in Mbarara.
In addition, it says “rising temperatures help mosquitoes breed more, bite more and live longer.â€
The study lists several other diseases, affecting people, animals and plants, that are on the rise as a result of climate change, such as cholera and dysentery caused by floods and respiratory diseases caused by prolonged dry spells.
The tsetse fly belt has expanded, resulting into increased cases of sleeping sickness, nagana and the associated drug resistance.
In Katakwi, grasshopper epidemics in 2005 destroyed all cereals, the main source of food security in Usuk county. Also, armyworms have been reported in Wakiso, Tororo and Pallisa districts, while Newcastle disease epidemics in poultry have been more frequent in Rakai and Soroti.
The weather changes will also trigger migrations and competition for strategic resources, leading to regional insecurity, according to the study.
It calls for the implementation of regulations aimed at preserving the environment, such as dealing decisively with encroachers and illegal timber loggers.
It also recommends erecting more boreholes, protecting water resources, and setting up early warning systems and seasonal forecasts to allow farmers adjust to the changing weather conditions.
“It is necessary to strengthen the capacity of the Department of Meteorology to enable it provide efficient, timely and reliable weather and climate information.â€
The report also calls for the involvement of women in measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.
“In urban areas, women are capable of implementing energy efficient programmes at the household level, while women in rural areas can be trained to use biomass and biogas in addition to promoting solar energy.â€