Climate is literally, the average weather condition of a given place that is recorded over a long period of time ranging from 35 – 40 years.
It involves the study and the activity of recording of weather elements like temperature, rainfall, pressure and many others.
While relief is the physical out-lay / appearance of the landscape.
Uganda, being the pearl of Africa, has several climatic zones Or climates which are several to mention and below are some of the climatic zones one may find in Uganda;
1. Equatorial climate.
Equatorial climate is found around areas of lake Victoria basin, victoria being the largest lake in Africa, covering many parts for example Jinja, Kamuli, Mukono, Entebbe, Kampala, Kayunga, etc…..It is characterized by Heavy and well distributed rainfall throughout the year i.e. high humidity and small diurnal temperature range.
2. Modified Equatorial climate.
In Uganda, the modified equatorial climate is confined mostly to mountainous areas for example the slopes of Mt. Rwenzori, Mt. Mufumbiro and Mt. Elgon in Kapchorwa.
It is also referred to as montane climate and it is characterized by heavy moderate amount of rainfall throughout the year with relatively reduced temperatures and high humidity.
3. Tropical savanna climate.
Tropical savanna climate is the largest of all and literally covers the biggest part of not only Uganda but also East Africa as well. It is experienced in areas such as Nakasongola, Sembabule, Lira, Hoima, Masindi, Kitgum and many other places to mention but a few.
So you know now the areas to find this climate. Not only that, it ischaraterised by alternate hot and wet seasons with relative low rainfall totals and high temperatures.
4. Desert – semi-desert climate.
This is experienced in north eastern Uganda in areas such as Kotido, Kaabong, Kiruhura, Lyantonde, Albert flats around Buliisa, Semuliki basin and many others.
This climate is characterized by low and unreliable rainfall amounts hence affecting the people living in the areas it covers. It also has constantly high temperatures during the day, low humidity and high diurnal temperature range.
On a serious note, relief is one of the factors that has influenced the climate of Uganda for example mountainous areas like Mt. Elgon influence the occurrence of modified equatorial climate.
Temperatures in these areas are literally reduced by high altitude while orographic rainfall is received on the windward side.
However, when wind descends on the leeward side, it causes dry conditions since after the winds lose moisture they become dry winds hence causing a situation known as aridity which is experienced in areas such as Fort Portal, Ankole-Masaka corridor and Semuliki basin which all lie on the leeward side of Mt. Elgon.
But generally, flat areas like the western rift valley around Mobuku, Semuliki bsin, the Albert flat areas also influence tropical (dry climate).
The physical absence of hills to trap relief rainfall is literally what is responsible for aridity in this zone.
However, relief alone is not entirely responsible for influencing the beautiful climate of Uganda. There are many other factors at work; for example
Presence of big water bodies such as Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga influence formation of convectional rainfall, high humidity, hence the presence of equatorial climate around Jinja, Entebbe, Kamuli and Mukono.
Uganda is also blessed with thick vegetation for example Mabira, Bugara forests and Budongo which also influence climate rainfall formation through evapo-transpiration hence equatorial climate along Lake Victoria and its shore regions such as Kalangala, Jinja and Entebbe respectively.
Due to the presence of the equator, latitudinal locations also influence the climate of Uganda for example areas like Entebbe, Mukono, Jinja experience high temperatures and heavy rainfall. This high temperature is literally due to the high concentration of the sun’s rays over a small surface area which in turn create a low pressure zone called the inter-tropical convergence zone (I.T.C.Z) thus winds from high pressure belts are drawn into this zone leading to formation of rainfall hence the occurrence of equatorial climate in the region.
Also the distance from the sea also influences heavily the climate of Uganda. These areas experience periodic rainfall due to land and sea breeze and the prevailing winds also bring rainfall at such areas while on the other hand, areas further from the lakes lack rainfall for example the areas of Kotido and Kaabong districts in the north hence experiencing semi-desert and tropical climate.
Uganda being a highland area, altitude which is the height of land above sea level, thoughtfully is another factor that influences its climate and East Africa as well. The low altitudinal areas like Muhokya and Semuliki basin in the rift valley experience high temperatures while the high altitudinal areas like Mt. Rwenzori have low temperatures thus the occurrence of Modified equatorial climate.
Not forgetting, human activities such as deforestation, sinking of boreholes, overgrazing in areas such as Kotido and swamp reclamation in Mbarara lead to reduced rainfall hence the occurrence of tropical and semi-desert climate while on the other hand, afforestation leads to rainfall formation.
Coclusion
In conclusion, to a small extent, relief influences the general climate of Uganda. There are nevertheless many other factors that also play significant impact on the climate and they never operate in isolation of one another but as a group.
This is your ultimate tour guide if you were very uncertain about the climatic environment of Uganda. Hope you have a great time finding your places of convenience!!