news 29 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)

Uganda braces for dry spell as government predicts below-average rainfall from June to August 2026

Ugandans are advised to conserve water and plan for potential shortages as the Ministry of Water and Environment forecasts a dry and warmer-than-normal season from June to August 2026. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-predicts-dry-spell-from-june-to-august-2026-5478630

Uganda is set to experience a dry spell with warmer-than-normal conditions from June to August 2026, according to the Ministry of Water and Environment. The Directorate of Meteorological Services has projected below-average rainfall across most of the country during this period, raising concerns for agriculture, livestock, and water availability.

Permanent Secretary Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi urged farmers and livestock keepers to take precautions, emphasizing the need for water conservation. He advised farmers to consider planting drought-tolerant crops and to invest in irrigation and water storage systems to mitigate the impact of reduced rainfall. “A bigger part of the country will get below, or is projected to get below-average rainfall,” Dr. Okot stated, highlighting the potential stress on crops, animals, and human populations.

The forecast points to several contributing factors, including warmer sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, potentially linked to an El Niño tendency, which typically suppresses rainfall in the region. Local geographical features like mountains and water bodies will also influence rainfall distribution.

Specific regional outlooks indicate that western Uganda, including areas like Kabale and Mbarara, will likely see persistent dry conditions. Central regions, including Kampala and its surroundings, are expected to have isolated showers until mid-June before dry conditions dominate. While eastern and northern Uganda might receive more intermittent rainfall, overall rainfall is expected to be near-normal to below-normal in the north and east, and significantly drier than usual in central and western parts of the country.

Officials are urging local governments, farmers, and water authorities to utilize this seasonal forecast for proactive planning to minimize the adverse effects of the anticipated dry spell.