Uganda, landlocked in eastern Africa, has a climate heavily shaped by its own topography and that of surrounding regions. High mountains along some of its margins, an elevated plateau and plentiful lakes including Victoria, the biggest in Africa all exert a real influence. Travelers here can go from steamy lowland of truly tropical feel to the snow-pack of lofty crags.
Uganda has the gift of Holiday weather year around. The Weather and Climate in Uganda is nearly perfect.
Uganda is blessed with the enviable gift of holiday weather year round. The climate is tropical about 26 degrees Celsius during the day and 16c at night, for most parts of the country except for the mountain regions. The hottest months are from December to February when the day time range is 27 to 29 degrees Celsius. This is when you are continually kissed by the African sun that a golden tan will be the indiscriminate mark of her affectations.
The highland areas are considerably cooler at night. The rainy seasons differ given the land variations with two seasons which are known as the long and short rains. The short rains are from March to May and the long rains are from September to November. During the wet season the average rainfall is 175mm per month. However, in western Uganda or around Lake Victoria it can rain almost any time but the rain usually lasts but a short time and the sun comes out.
The dry season is from November to March. There are some dry areas in the country which receive very small amounts of rainfall of 100mm or less. The best time of the year to visit would be from December to late February and from June to September which are especially ideal for gorilla tracking and hiking.
Regardless of when you decide to visit whether on holiday, wildlife safari or simply a cultural visit, the time is ever right! Don’t let the word ‘rainy’ and ‘dry’ fool you into thinking it endlessly pours in torrents and the earth is all so soggy or that it is as dry and hot as the Sahara. Far from that! Instead in the rainy seasons you will be treated to the most delightful African thunderstorm often with the rain falling in the early morning hours and at night, lulling you to sleep. Soon after the down pour, the sun’s rays would have soon dried up the earth once again. In the dry season, you will encounter not only the haunting extremes of weather like scorched grass, stripped trees, baking hot and rock-hard ground but whirlwinds that twist and turn carrying all else on a journey to nowhere. You will not only marvel at Uganda’s climate but be enthralled by it.
Seasons
There are two main reasons; one is its location on the equator plus being next to Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the other one its elevation. Both of these together give Uganda the gift of perfect weather and for those coming here on holiday on a Wildlife Safari or simply a cultural visit to Uganda receive the added gift of the weather.
Even during the two rainy seasons, the sun is out most of the time and rain often occurs at night and during the early morning hours along with a most delightful thunderstorm and when it rains, it pours but soon the sun’s rays have dried up the earth once again.
Sunrise and Sunset vary by a few minutes throughout the year. Dawn and sunrise will come at around 6:30AM in the morning. If you are near a mosque, the first call to prayer will be at 5 in the morning along with the roosters. Sunset is at 7 pm or shortly afterward, giving 12 1/2 hours of daylight each day.
There are two Rainy Seasons of the Year in Uganda called short and long rains. However, if you are in one of the rain forests or around Lake Victoria it can rain at any time, but again, rain here is usually of short duration, heavy at times, but soon it is over. Short Rains are in April to May of the year accompanied by fantastic thunderstorms. Long Rains are in September to November and once again often there is a thunderstorm with it.
There are some dry regions of the country that receive a very small amount of rainfall of 100 mm or less however in the rest of the country it is between 1000 and 2000 mm.
Temperature Range in various towns of Uganda
Kampala Elevation 1,155 meters: The high temperature will vary by 3 degrees Celsius over the year, the mean daily high being 27 degrees Celsius. The low varies between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
Entebbe Elevation 1,145 meters: The high temperature will vary by 2 degrees Celsius over the year, the mean daily high being 26 degrees Celsius. The low varies between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Entebbe is cooler and the British made it the capital of Uganda since it was more comfortable to live along Lake Victoria with its breeze and somewhat cooler climate and less humid might one add.
Fort Portal Elevation 1,540 meters: The high temperature will vary by 2 degrees Celsius over the year, the mean daily high being 25 degrees Celsius. The low varies between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius throughout the year. This is the western region of the country and as you can see considerably higher in elevation than Kampala
Kabale Elevation 1,950 meters: The high temperature will vary by 2 degrees Celsius over the year, the mean daily high being 23 degrees Celsius. The low varies between 9 and 11 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Again you are dealing with a higher in elevation location in western Uganda that is cooler so that even apples can be grown.
Gulu Elevation 1,110 meters: The high temperature will vary by 5 degrees Celsius over the year, the mean daily high being 29 degrees Celsius. The low varies between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
Masindi Elevation 1,145 meters: The high temperature will vary by 3 degrees Celsius over the year, the mean daily high being 28 degrees Celsius. The low varies between 12 and 13 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
Jinja Elevation 1,145 meters: The high temperature will vary by 3 degrees Celsius over the year, the mean daily high being 28 degrees Celsius. The low varies between 14 and 15 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
As you can see, for the most part, the temperatures are rather pleasant and holiday like the weather in Uganda, though the equator runs through it, because of its elevation the temperatures are enjoyable. You can relax along one of the pools of a lodge or tented camp and simply relax in the sun on one of the beaches of Lake Victoria, do use sunscreen to protect your skin and re-apply regularly. If you are taking doxycycline as a malaria regiment, your skin and scalp might become much more sensitive to the sun.
