The Uganda Atlas

Zone I Lake Victoria Basin This zone is located around Lake Victoria and extends for a distance varying between 48-64 km inland from the lake shore. Rainfall varies from 1250 mm to over 2000 mm per annum. Rainfall is received throughout the year with two rainfall peaks in April-May and October-November; and two relatively low rainfall periods between December- March and June-July. The rainfall peaks are associated with the onset of southeast and northeast monsoon winds. Temperature, humidity, and wind patterns in this zone display comparatively small variations throughout the year. Zone II Karamoja This zone is characterized by a long and hot dry season lasting from November to March. It is the driest and hottest part of the country. There is a single rainy season from April to August. Average annual rainfall is between 300 mm and 600 mm, declining from west to east of the zone. Zone III Western Uganda This zone forms a relatively narrow belt along the entire western extremities of the country. The eastern limits of the zone are, however, difficult to determine. It includes the highland area of West Nile region, the escapement of the Albertine rift valley, the rift valley, the South Western highland region, and the mountains of Rwenzori and Muhavura. On the plateau, escarpment, and in the highlands rainfall is about 1250 mm, while in the mountains it increases to over 2000 mm. Generally, rainfall increases with altitude in the entire zone. The rift valley section experiences low rainfall, with averages of less than 875 mm. Temperature conditions vary widely from cold in the mountains, cool in the highlands to hot on the rift valley floor. Zone IV Acholi-Kyoga The zone includes much of the northern and part of eastern Uganda. The average rainfall is from 1250 mm to 1500 mm and mainly occurs between April and October (Wet season). The dry period usually extends from November to March. Rainfall is mainly convectional, characterized by afternoon and evening occurrences. Zone V Southern Uganda This zone extends from eastern to south-western Uganda, up to Rakai District. It experiences double maxima rainfall patterns with averages ranging from 875 mm to 1125 mm. The rainy seasons occur between April-May and September-November. The zone experiences two dry seasons, from June to July and December to January. The rainfall patterns in this zone are largely influenced by the maritime Lake Victoria conditions and the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The rainfall is dominated by thunderstorms of convectional nature. Zone VI Mount Elgon This zone experiences the main rains from March to September but with a sharp dry spell in June, and with a dry period from December to February. The rainfall patterns are influenced by both the orographic effects of the mountains and the proximity to Lake Victoria, through increasing total rainfall and decreasing the severity of the dry period. On the mountain foot hills and slopes, rainfall decreases from south (1250-1500 mm) to north (1000 mm) with the northern slopes falling within the rain shadow of the mountain.

NEMA 2005

Human settlements along the shores of Lake Victoria in Bugiri District. The trees planted by communities did not effectively ameliorate the effects of climatic extremes in the area as the regulations on managememt of the catchment zone were not adhered to (2005)

NEMA 2008 NEMA 2008

Dried Mubuku River during the dry season, Kasese District. In the background: Mt. Rwenzori ranges (2008)

Maritime climatically influenced Lake Victoria plains at Kakira in Jinja District (2008)

NEMA 2008

Heavy rainfall triggered landslides on Mt. Elgon at Busayi Bududa in November 1997; it destroyed 97 houses.

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