A recent flight to northern Uganda was greatly delayed by heavy morning rainfall. The flight was due to collect a passenger in the north booked to join an international flight that evening. Realising her dilemma, we gained permissions for our plane to divert directly to that airport on the return journey, so that she had a chance to catch the flight.
We later heard that she had just caught the flight! Her husband passed on their thanks for our help.
Another flight from Uganda to Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was also recently blocked by a large storm whose centre was 60 miles across, with another smaller storm spread along the border. As it was impossible for the pilot to find a way through, they had to return to Entebbe.
The flight was then completed in good weather early the next morning. It was so good to have our guesthouse available at short notice for the passengers who did not have other accommodation for the night.
Rainfall in Uganda
Unlike many parts of East Africa, Uganda can receive a lot of rainfall and thunderstorms, although this can be unreliable.
This is because Uganda is nestled by Lake Victoria, enhancing atmospheric moisture, and therefore thunderstorms. Rains can also come from the DRC on moist southwesterly winds.
Most of Uganda has a double rainy season (March-May, November-December), but towards the north these two rainy seasons tend to merge into a single long wet period with a single dry period.