Climate Uganda
Located in the tropics, Uganda enjoys a pleasant year-round climate, its equatorial character tempered by altitude, especially in the southwest. The temperature range - whether daily, monthly or annually - is small: for example, the mercury oscillates between 17 and 29°C in Kampala. The highest temperatures were recorded at Lake Albert and the lowest in the Rwenzori Mountains. Instead of winter and summer, the seasons are dry (December to February and June to August) and wet (March to May and September to November). It is of course during the first ones that it is easier to travel, because all the tracks are a priori passable. Beware, the summer and end of year school holidays, which coincide with the dry season, are quite busy: don't forget to book your gorilla and/or chimpanzee permit!
Wet or dry: each region has its own rainfall
Altitude, latitude and the oscillation of the inter-tropical convergence zone: like temperatures, rainfall is dependent on these three parameters. On average, 1,000 to 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 abundant rainfall (2,400 mm) throughout the year. In contrast, Kidepo Park in the north-east records 650 mm of average annual rainfall, concentrated from April to October. This north-east/south-west gradient is also reflected in a bimodal rainfall regime (two wet seasons) that is pronounced in the south of the country and barely marked in the north, or even non-existent. 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 and generate snowstorms at midday..
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 heavy rains... Climate change and its multidimensional effects are tangible in Uganda. To illustrate this, let's take a look at Rwenzori, in the west of the country. This mighty mountain range is known for its glaciers. In 1906, the glaciers 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 ongoing climate change. In an interview with the BBC in the spring of 2021, geographer Richard Taylor pointed out 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 Rwenzori slopes and foothills: in 2012, forest fires devastated vegetation up to 4,000 metres above sea level (an unprecedented event); in May 2020, a devastating flood ravaged some 25,000 homes, mainly in Kasese district..
