KAMPALA – The Department of Meteorological Services (DMS) has announced that above-normal heavy rainfall is expected in the South-Western region, particularly around Kigezi and Ankole, during the last days of the month.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development was confirmed in the third dekad (ten-day) agro-meteorological bulletin for October 2026, issued on Wednesday, October 21st, by the Department of Meteorological Services.
The bulletin indicates that most parts of the country will experience occasional to moderate rainfall from 21st to 31st October, while the western sector is on high alert as exceptional rainfall is expected in South-Western Kigezi, Ankole, and neighboring areas.
The bulletin shows significant rainfall across the western region, from Kigezi and Ankole to Bunyoro, plus Central, Northern (West Nile, western Acholi, and Lango), and the upper Elgon belt, while Karamoja and its neighbors are likely to stay dry with only isolated showers.
This split pattern brings contrasting challenges: the west must prepare for flooding, while the east faces water stress, with daily maximum temperatures of 16°C to 34°C and the highest heat in the north, east, and Kasese–Pakwach rift valley.
The DMS warns the enhanced rains could trigger flooding, landslides, and transport disruptions, while runoff may contaminate water sources and spark cholera, dysentery, and typhoid outbreaks, with stagnant water raising malaria risks.
The DMS advises farmers to plant suitable crop varieties and dig drainage channels, while urban authorities are urged to clear drainage systems and cover open manholes to prevent drowning.
Communities on steep slopes should watch for soil cracks and relocate to safer lowlands if needed, and the public is warned against crossing flooded areas or sheltering under isolated trees during thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, residents in the dry Karamoja region were urged to monitor pasture and water sources closely, as the department reaffirmed its commitment to keeping stakeholders informed about the weather changes.
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