news 17 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)

Uganda Government Urges Evacuation from El Niño Disaster Zones

Ahead of anticipated heavy El Niño rains, the Ugandan government is strongly advising residents in disaster-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds to prevent loss of life and property. The Ministry of Water and Environment forecasts rainfall 25% above average from September to December. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-warns-ugandans-to-vacate-disaster-prone-areas-ahead-of-el-ni%C3%B1o-rains-5599068

The Ugandan government has issued a stark warning, urging citizens residing in areas vulnerable to natural disasters to evacuate immediately. This directive comes in anticipation of the El Niño rains, projected to bring significantly above-average rainfall between September and December 2026, with effects potentially lingering into early 2027.

The Ministry of Water and Environment has indicated that many regions across Uganda will experience rainfall approximately 25 percent higher than the long-term average. This increased precipitation is expected to heighten the risk of severe weather events, including flash floods, intense storms, and landslides.

Officials are particularly concerned about areas like the Elgon sub-region, Bundibugyo, Kasese, Ntoroko, and Kisoro. Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Alex Kakooza, implored residents in these high-risk zones to move to safer locations. “We are asking these people to come down, to leave those places to areas of safety, so that when the landslides happen, we don’t lose lives,” Kakooza stated.

Public advisories include avoiding settlements and farming activities in flood-prone locations, refraining from crossing flooded roads or rivers, seeking shelter away from trees during thunderstorms, and ensuring children are supervised when traveling to and from school. The government is also developing contingency plans, including measures to protect students, especially those facing national examinations.

Uganda has a history of significant disaster-related losses, with a 2023 report indicating over 1,000 fatalities due to various calamities. The government has initiated early warning systems and is awaiting Cabinet approval for an El Niño Contingency and Response Plan. These climate variations are linked to global phenomena such as El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole.