Normal rains expected across Uganda in March, April
The onset of rain will vary by region, with most of the regions experiencing rainfall from early to mid-March, while the peak of rainfall is expected between April and May before ending by early to mid-June in most parts of the country.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment, Dr Alfred Okot Okidi, speaks during a press conference at Media Center Kampala on Friday, 27 2026. (Photos by Ronnie Kijjambu)
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Most parts of Uganda are expected to experience near-normal to above-normal rainfall during the month of March and April in the first rainy season of 2026.
The onset of rain will vary by region, with most of the regions experiencing rainfall from early to mid-March, while the peak of rainfall is expected between April and May before ending by early to mid-June in most parts of the country.
This was contained in the release for the March-May weather forecast read by water ministry permanent secretary Dr Alfred Okot Okidi at the Uganda Media Centre, Kampala, on February 27, 2026.
Okidi said Uganda experiences two major rainy seasons, namely from March to May and from September to December, as the first and second rainy seasons, respectively. However, the northern and eastern regions usually receive substantial rainfall from June to August.
The Commissioner in charge of Meteorological Services at the Ministry of Water and Environment, Dr Bob Alex Ogwang (left) explains as the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment Dr Alfred Okot Okidi looks on during a press conference on rainfall forecast at Media Center Kampala on Friday, 27 2026.
He said the rainfall conditions are classified in three categories, namely above normal when it's above 125% of the Long-Term Mean (LTM), near normal when it ranges between 75% and 125%, and less than 75% is below normal LTM.
He said the 2026 rainfall forecast shows that most parts of the country expect to receive near normal rainfall except in the areas around Lake Victoria, the eastern and northwestern region who are expected to experience above normal rainfall during the season.
He added that during the season, temperatures will generally get warmer than normal across the country.
He said the major reasons expected to influence the 2026 rainfall season performance in Uganda include the positioning and orientation of the Inter-Tropical Convergence zone, the tropical wind system known as Madden Julian Oscillations and the moisture advection from the Congo air mass.
He said the forecast should guide all climate-sensitive sectors to plan for the enhancement of the social-economic resilience and community well-being while predicted rainfall requires a timely action to mitigate risks and take advantage of favourable conditions.