Local farmers in Gulu have accused the Chinese nationals who are working on road projects in the area for causing the current erratic rainfall pattern.
They attribute the drought in the area to Chinese workers who are constructing major road which link Acholi sub region to other parts of the country.
According to some of the farmers, they suspect that the Asians are deliberately preventing the rain so that their work on road is not disrupted.
The farmers accused the Chinese of using supernatural powers to keep off the rain.
Ms Esther Akello, a farmer in Loyoboo village, Unyama Sub County who is not happy with the Chinese said the rain pattern has of recent completely changed.
Akello claims that when Kitgum road construction was not in progress, there was plenty of rain and they were able to grow food crop in surplus for home consumption as well as for sale.
Mr Anthony Ongom, 85, blamed the current harsh weather on the gods.
Ongom explained that, “The gods are not happy with some of the human activities such as, theft, fighting, and neglect of some of the rituals that Acholi practiced for centuries.”
He warned, “If farmers continue to disobey some of the wishes of the gods, they will continue to suffer.”
But Mr Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the district LCV chairman dismissed both claims.
Addressing farmers at Lapeta village in Unyama Sub County, Mapenduzi blamed the current rain pattern to man’s activities such as deforestation and wetland reclamation.
According to Ongom, unless rituals to appease the gods are performed, farmers will not experience any kind of rain.
Dr. Rita Laker-Ojok, a Crop Specialist notes that over the years, Gulu’s temperature has increased by between 1.8 and 2 degrees due to the large quantity of green house gases that have been emitted into the atmosphere by industries and motorists.
Dr. Laker- Ojok says what the farmers are experiencing is a reality of climate change.
She raised fear that the rising temperature will greatly affect local farmers especially in Africa who solely depend on agriculture as a major source of livelihood.
