By Norbert Mao
The Uganda National Meteorological Authority has urged farmers, local governments and agricultural stakeholders to make better use of weather forecasts and early warning information to strengthen climate-smart agriculture and reduce losses caused by unpredictable weather.
The call was made during the opening of the two-day Sub-National Climate Outlook Forum in Gulu City being held under the theme, “Advancing Climate Services for Resilient Communities and Sustainable Development in Uganda.”
The forum is organized under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP) by the Department of Meteorological Services in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the World Bank Group, and other implementing partners.
Speaking at the opening, the Assistant Commissioner and Director of Forecasting Services at the Uganda National Meteorological Authority, Isaac Mugume, said weather and climate information plays a vital role in helping farmers, extension workers and policy makers make timely decisions on planting, harvesting and disaster preparedness.
Mugume acknowledged that many parts of the country experienced poor rainfall during the previous season, leaving many farmers counting losses and said while the Authority also hoped for a successful season, climate variability continues to affect rainfall patterns, making reliable forecasting and preparedness more important than ever.
He stressed that producing weather forecasts alone is not enough, noting that the information must be understood, communicated effectively and translated into action by farmers, local leaders and other stakeholders if communities are to benefit from the forecasts.
Mugume also encouraged participants to continuously provide feedback on the quality of weather services so that forecasting products can be improved to better meet the needs of communities across the country.
During the forum, experts from the Meteorological Authority provided participants with updates on the August and September 2026 weather outlook, including the status of El Niño monitoring and its likely impact on different regions. The information is expected to guide planning in agriculture, water resources, disaster risk management and other climate-sensitive sectors.
The two-day engagement brought together government officials, agricultural extension workers, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and improve the dissemination and use of weather and climate information in building resilient communities across Uganda
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