Gulu has recorded the highest temperature in the country in February, according to a new report released by Metrological department.
According to the weather report, the average extreme maximum temperatures– 35.8 degrees centigrade, was recorded at Gulu weather station.
The report further indicates that the recording at Gulu weather station was much higher than the previous ten days period.
The metrological department revealed that the highest of daily maximum temperature extremes recorded at Gulu weather station was 36.7 degrees centigrade.
Kabale weather station in western Uganda recorded the lowest temperature at 28.0.
The lowest of the daily minimum temperature extremes recorded ranged from 10.2 to 20.0 degrees centigrade while the highest of the daily minimum temperature varied from 15.0 to 23.8 degrees centigrade during this period.
In a report dated March 7, 2016, by Uganda National Metrological Authority (UNMA) indicates that during the period 21st- 29th February 2016, the country experienced warmer to hotter conditions with average maximum temperatures ranging from 25.8 to 35.8 degrees centigrade.
During the same period, the highest amount of rainfall recorded was 78.3 mm at Mubende weather station in Mubende district followed by Jinja weather station in Jinja district with 75.0 mm and Karengere agro-meteorological station in Kabale district with 70.2 mm.
The meteorological body also warned that dry conditions have continued to prevail in some parts of Eastern, Northern and Karamoja sub region.
However in some areas such as Tororo, Busia, Kaliro Soroti, Arua and Kitgum of rainfall occurred.
Robert Bakiika, an environment specialist with Environmental Management for Livelihood Improvement Bwaise Facility (EMLI Bwaise Facility) a non – governmental organization with a focus on environmental issues says climate change has become a reality.
Bukiika warned that local farmers will be the most affected.
Bakiika asked farmers in Acholi sub region to adopt some strategies such as rain water harvesting in order to sustain their livelihoods so that their farming activities are not interrupted.
Experts warned that local farmers in Gulu are likely to be forced to grow only cassava by 2030 due to rising temperature threatens suitability for crop production.
A report on climate assessment in the north carried out in June 2013, by USAID annual rainfall in Gulu has decreased by 1200mm a year, with overall decreased in both the number of rainy day and the frequency of heavy rain.
The Uganda Vulnerability Assessment report analyses climate change between 1951-1980 and 1980-2010 indicates that, Gulu’s temperature has increased by between 1.8 and 2 degree centigrade due to the large quantity of greenhouse gases that has been emitted into the atmosphere by industries and motorists.
