The President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently appreciated the work being done by Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) in providing weather and climate information to the public and specific advisories to farmers and relevant sectors.

UNMA got this approval when honored by a visit from the President during the 24th source of the Nile Agriculture and Trade exhibition, in Jinja that was held from the 11th to the 17th of July, 2016.

After addressing the exhibitors at the main VIP hall, the President returned to the UNMA stall where he released the hydrogen inflated weather balloon amidst cheers of workers and exhibitors. The President later took time to talk to the Management and staff of UNMA who included the Chairperson BoD, Dr. Robert K. Rutaagi, the Executive Director, Mr. Festus Luboyera, Board Member Ms. Anita Kigonya, and staff.The President first visited UNMA stall while touring the different exhibition stalls and chatted with the staff who were led by the Manager, Training and Research, Ms. Margaret Nankya Serwanja where he was given the June, July, August (JJA) seasonal outlook booklet that he went with and later, was seen referring to it to sensitize the big farmers at different stalls.


Eager and excited Management and staff of UNMA wait for the President’s visit, and the release of the hydrogen inflated weather balloon by the President

Dr. Rutaagi told the President that radars and more weather stations and equipment were required in order to improve data accuracy that is translated and provided as final public products for decision making. After being told the number of scientists in UNMA, the President joked that “if the number of scientists was so high, why are we experiencing drought”? He was however told that UNMA is still understaffed and we need more than 300 scientists from the current 60.

UNMA Staff who were visibly excited promised to work harder for sustainable development of Uganda.




Supported by the GIZ/USAID PROJECT:
Strengthening Meteorological Products, Services and Use in the Agriculture and Water Sectors.