By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment, has released the National Weather Forecast for March, April, and May (MAM) 2025.
While addressing the Media at Uganda Media Center today, Thursday, 6th March, 2025, Mr. Alfred Okot Okidi, said Uganda is currently experiencing dry conditions with high temperatures.
“The situation is expected to persist in most parts until mid-March, after which the cooling occurs as the rains begin,” he says.
He says the unusual high temperatures are due to a combination of factors.
The primary cause of the high temperatures is the ongoing dry season. The period from December to February is typically dry across Uganda, with February being the hottest month of the year.
Temperatures begin to rise by mid-January, reaching the peak in February, and gradually decline from early March.
The second factor is what we call the influence of a tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean.
A tropical cyclone currently present over the southern Indian Ocean is affecting Uganda’s weather.
“This cyclone is pulling in moisture that would have otherwise been carried by the southeast winds into East Africa, including Uganda,” he explains.
As a result, rainfall formation is suppressed, delaying the onset of the MAM rainy season and extending the dry and hot conditions across.
The other factor is the position of the sun. During February, the sun moves closer to the equator, which runs through Uganda. It is directly over it at the equator twice a year, March 21st and September 23rd. As the sun approaches this position in February, solar radiation increases, leading to higher surface temperatures.
The fourth is the urban heat island effect. Cities and large towns in Uganda experience higher temperatures than the surrounding rural areas due to the urban heat island effect.
This occurs because of the following factors: one, heat-absorbing surfaces such as tarmac roads, pavements, and concrete structures, which retain and release heat into the atmosphere.
The second one is the greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, industries, and other urban activities, which trap the heat and contribute to the rising temperatures.
“Fellow Ugandans, in order to stay safe and reduce the impact of the current extreme heat, my ministry recommends the following measures: stay hydrated by drinking plenty of clean water during the day, limit physical activities, especially during the very hot periods,” he says.
He also advises people to stay indoors or under shades so that direct exposure to sunlight is reduced, especially during the peak hours. People are also advised to take frequent showers so that you cool and regulate the body temperature.
Overall, during the month that is March, April, May 2025 season, Uganda is expected to receive near-normal to above-normal rainfall over most of the regions.
A delayed onset of rains is anticipated due to the tropical cyclones over the Indian Ocean, with the rains establishing around mid to late March in most areas.
The onset is likely to be characterized by isolated thunderstorms, strong winds, lightning, and hailstorms in various parts of the country.
The peak rainfall is expected between April and early May in most parts of the country. The temperatures, however, are expected to be warmer than average across the country during the MAM (March, April, and May) period.
