Is June A Dry Or Wet Month In Uganda?

Is June A Dry Or Wet Month In Uganda?

The Republic of Uganda, or Pearl of Africa, is a country endowed with fertile soils, heavy rainfall and tropical climatic conditions that support farming, tourism and diverse ecosystems. The weather of the country is mostly determined by its position along the equator, its different altitudes and the availability of large water bodies like Lake Victoria.

The question of whether June is a dry or wet month in Uganda is not as simple as it would appear. It depends on the region of the country and on microclimates. But, in most places in Uganda, June is a fairly dry month, so any rainfall might occur infrequently.

Uganda’s Climate Overview

The climate in Uganda is tropical and has two seasons, the wet (rainy) season and the dry season. The climate of Uganda is mainly characterised by: unlike temperate nations that have four distinct seasons, Uganda has only two distinct seasons.

Two rainy seasons: March to May (long rains) and September to November (short rains).

Two dry seasons: December- February and June- August.

This trend is a little different by the region, particularly between the north and the south of the country.

General Weather in June

In most of Uganda, the dry season starts or continues in June. Compared to April and May, which are considered to be among the wettest months of the year, rainfall is much lower. The skies are clearer and there is more sunshine during the day. This is the reason why June is a good time to travel, tourism and farm-related activities that need dry weather, like harvesting.

This is a regional forecast of what June is expected to be like:

Central Uganda (including Kampala)

June is usually a dry month in Central Uganda, the capital city of Kampala and the nearby districts of Wakiso, Mukono, and Mpigi. The amount of rainfall significantly decreases compared to April and May, but in some cases, there could be light rains.

The average temperatures are 17°C to 27°C, and the humidity of Kampala is quite moderate in June. This renders the weather fine and comfortable for outdoor activities. The low rainfall also comes in handy to improve the road conditions, particularly in rural regions that get muddy and inaccessible during the wet season.

Western Uganda (Including Fort Portal, Kabale and Kasese)

The drier conditions in June are experienced in Western Uganda, where the country has national parks such as Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable, and the Rwenzori Mountains, but the degree of dryness differs by district because of different altitudes.

For example:

June can be described as the drier season in Fort Portal and Kasese; it is ideal to visit the tourist sites in Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking and the crater lakes region during this season.

Kabale is at a higher elevation and might get a bit of drizzle or light showers, but the weather is otherwise dry and cool.

This is a good time of the year to visit the region, as the weather is great and wildlife viewing and mountain trekking are possible.

Northern Uganda (Gulu, Kitgum and Lira)

The climatic pattern of the north of Uganda is slightly different to that of the south. In Northern Uganda, the rainy season begins in June, but this time the rainfall is very light and it builds up slowly during July and August.

This is a transitional month in this area, and the weather shifts between dry and wet in June. Although in early June it is quite possible that the weather is rather dry, rain is more common at the end of the month. In Northern Uganda, farmers usually start to plant at about this period in anticipation of the seasonal growing period.

Eastern Uganda (Including Mbale, Soroti and Jinja)

June weather in Eastern Uganda is also very close to the weather in Central Uganda, with a drier climate in most parts. Yet some districts, and especially those which are near Mount Elgon, still might have a localised rainfall owing to the orographic effect (rain produced by moist winds striking high land).

For instance:

Not far south of Mount Elgon, Mbale may still get a light shower in June.

Jinja is drier and warmer and is located on the banks of Lake Victoria.

On the whole, June is a pleasant month to travel and to grow food in the East, particularly to pick the products sown in the rainy season of March-May.

Western Uganda (Mbarara, Bushenyi and Ntungamo included)

It is generally dry in June, but afternoon showers may be experienced briefly. The climate is perfect to do livestock farming and harvesting. The temperatures are not extreme, typically 16o°C to 26o°C, and the probability of flood conditions is very low in comparison to the rainy season.

Tourism and June Weather

Due to the mostly dry weather in the entire country, June is one of the best months to visit Uganda. The climate is suitable for all kinds of outdoor activities:

Drier forest trails allow gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga to be easier.

The wild animal safaris in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks have more opportunities to see the animals due to their concentration around the water sources.

Less slippery trails make hiking and mountaineering in the Rwenzori and Elgon areas safer and more enjoyable.

Consequently, June coincides with the peak tourist season in Uganda, and accommodations and park permits (particularly on a gorilla trekking expedition) cost a lot.

Farming and June Weather.

June is a very important month as far as agriculture is concerned. It is generally linked to harvest in Central and Western Uganda and planting in Northern Uganda. Relatively dry weather creates safe drying and storage of harvest such as maize, beans and groundnuts.

To pastoral communities, particularly cattle corridor, the grassland between southwestern and northeastern Uganda, June is the best month to graze as the mud and disease levels are minimal.

Summary

Is June a dry month or a wet month in Uganda?

In the majority of areas (Central, Western, Eastern, and Southwestern Uganda), June is usually a dry month, with only a little precipitation and much sunshine.

In Northern Uganda, June is the beginning of the rainy season, and the rainfall slowly increases until July.

This difference reiterates the fact that Uganda has a wide range of climatic zones, though on the whole, June is regarded as one of the drier months of the year, and as such, it is an ideal month to travel, tour and carry out agricultural activities in most areas of the country.

Conclusion

The climate of Uganda in June is very important to know before planning any activities, whether you are a farmer in need of preparing your fields, a tourist intending to see the natural beauty in Uganda or a resident planning any events there. Although a range of divergent weather patterns can be found, particularly where elevation and closeness to lakes and mountains impact the weather, June is generally a dry month in most parts of Uganda.