The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A new radio detection and ranging device- RADAR has been installed at the Uganda National Meteorological Authority station in Kigungu – Entebbe. The device is set to boost short term weather forecasting and aviation surveillance across Uganda.
The new weather instrument was procured at 90 Billion shillings from the United States of America. Two others have been ordered for installation in Mbarara and Lira districts.
Uganda Meteorological Authority is optimistic that the equipment will also revolutionize the issuance of early warnings to avert environmental disasters associated with thunderstorms and excessive rainfall.
The new RADAR uses transmitted radio signal aimed by an antenna in a particular direction and a receiver that detects the echoes off any objects in the path of the signal.
Festus Luboyera, the Executive Director Uganda National Meteorological Authority says the one in Entebbe is ready for commissioning this month. He says the meteorology equipment is capable of cushioning the country in a network of surveillance.
Most of Uganda’s weather stations are on-the-ground stations heavily measuring weather basics such as Wind directions, wind speeds, rainfall amount, humidity in the atmosphere and temperatures.
Luboyera says the radar equipment will bring more real-time enhanced weather forecasting dependent on measurement of overhead weather elements.
Modern weather forecasting are useful tools for saving lives in an environment of Climate change. It is generally agreed that evacuation of residents living in the frontlines of tropical cyclones, tsunamis and water spouts can be evacuated before such weather phenomenon make landfall if detected in time.
Luboyera says although such hazardous weather phenomena are rare on the East African coast, the radar systems will have capabilities to detect development of thunderstorms in the sky in real-time to secure human lives through issuance of early warning messages.
Although there is no clear data on the number of property destroyed or lives lost due to thunderstorms every year, lightning strikes are commonplace across Uganda. Most of its victims include school children, livestock and residents.
Dr Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Minister of State for Environment says the weather radars will help Uganda to enhance weather forecast, targeting to know where exactly it will rain or shine at micro -Climate level. She says monitoring certain environmental features will help in environmental protection.
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