KAMPALA – The Department of Meteorological Services (DMS) has warned that Western, Northern, and parts of Eastern Uganda are expected to see enhanced rainfall by mid-May, as the “long rains” season that started in March nears its end.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development was confirmed in the May 2026 weather forecast bulletin released on May 4, 2026, by the DMS department (or: by the DMS) under the Ministry of Water and Environment of Uganda.
The bulletin indicates that although April is typically the wettest month, May will still bring heavy downpours and thunderstorms across much of the country, with several parts receiving more rainfall than usual.
The remaining areas of the country will see near-average rainfall, while Western and Central regions will enjoy enhanced rains until mid-May before they slowly decline, and the Eastern region’s rains will continue until late May.
In parts of Northern and Karamoja regions, rains will peak between early and late May, with Northern areas remaining moderate through the month’s end, while temperatures stay mostly average across the country.
Daytime highs will reach 28°C to 32°C in West Nile, Northern, and Eastern regions, with 20°C to 26°C elsewhere; overnight lows will range from 20°C to 24°C in the north and 12°C to 20°C in other areas, dropping below 12°C on Mount Elgon.
The bulletin highlights that low-lying areas like West Nile, Buganda, Teso, Lango, the Lake Victoria basins, and Kampala may experience floods, which could damage homes and roads, disrupt transport, destroy crops, and displace communities.
It also warns that high-risk areas such as Mount Elgon, the Rwenzori Mountains, and the Kigezi Highlands could see landslides, with heavy rains on steep slopes possibly burying homes and farmland, blocking roads, and causing casualties.
The department further warned that health risks are a concern, as stagnant and contaminated water may lead to increased cases of malaria, cholera, typhoid, and dysentery across affected communities.
The Ministry of Water and Environment has warned that, while the rains will likely improve soil moisture and pasture, excessive rainfall could also cause soil erosion, crop rot, and pest outbreaks like the fall armyworm.
The Ministry further advised the public to avoid flooded roads, clear drainage channels, move away from high-risk zones, practice good sanitation, harvest rainwater, secure weak structures, and activate district disaster plans.
The rains offer good opportunities for farming but also bring serious risks of floods and landslides, and the Ministry urges everyone to take timely action to protect lives and property.
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