Wet or dry: each region has its own rainfall
Altitude, latitude and the oscillation of the inter-tropical convergence zone: like temperatures, precipitation depends on these three parameters. On average, between 1,000 and 1,500 mm of rain falls annually. But this rainfall is unevenly distributed in time and space. The Bwindi forest, in the south-west of the country, receives an abundance of rain (2,400 mm) all year round. In contrast, Kidepo Park in the northeast receives 650 mm of average annual rainfall, concentrated from April to October. This north-east/south-west gradient is also reflected in a bimodal rainfall pattern (two wet seasons) that is pronounced in the south of the country, and barely marked or non-existent in the north. In addition to the seasonal change in wind direction, convection also has its say: on the Rwenzori peaks, clouds rising from the Congolese jungle can accumulate to create mid-day snowstorms..
Small wool, tank top and balaclava..
Average temperatures range from 12 to 18°C for the minimums and from 20 to 29°C for the maximums. The hottest area is Lake Albert, in the deepest part of the Rift Valley, and the coolest is Rwenzori (at Margherita Peak, it can be -2°C at midday). In short, in Kigezi and Karamoja, don't forget your little wool: the nights are cool! In the southern lowlands, a tank top should be enough. Finally, if you pass the 4,000 meter mark, you might need a balaclava..
Climate change and its consequences: the case of Rwenzori
More frequent droughts and torrential rains... Climate change and its multidimensional effects are tangible in Uganda. To illustrate this, let's take a look at the Rwenzori, in the west of the country. This mighty mountain range is famous for its glaciers. In 1906, these covered an area of 6.5 km². A century later, in 2003, less than 1 km² remained. According to climatologists, this equatorial ice could be a thing of the past by 2030. This accelerated melting is indicative of the climate upheavals underway. In an interview with the BBC in the spring of 2021, geographer Richard Taylor recalled that "the consequences of climate change are particularly marked in the tropics" and that "a rise of one or two degrees at the equator has a much greater impact on climate and water resources than a rise of one or two degrees in London, Paris or New York". Climate change is of course having an impact on the slopes and foothills of the Rwenzori: in 2012, forest fires devastated vegetation at altitudes of up to 4,000 meters (unprecedented); in May 2020, a devastating flood ravaged some 25,000 homes, mainly in the Kasese district; and further massive flooding, in the Kasese district, ravaged the region again in May 2023. Finally, in the Karamoja region in the north-east of the country, a prolonged drought in 2022-2023 led to severe food shortages.
