Anthony Kushaba writes:
Ugandans have been urged to embrace the use of weather and climate information in making sound decisions.
The request was made this morning by James Bataze, a senior meteorological officer with the Uganda National Meteorological Authority UNMA, during a stakeholder needs assessment on weather and climate products and formats, as well as training on operating the data acquisition system, held at the Rwizi Arch Hotel in Mbarara.
Bataze stated that once Ugandans make good use of the information, they will be able to make informed decisions, particularly when it comes to farming, such as knowing when to plant or not plant so that their crops receive adequate rain.
He claims that there has been a lack of public awareness of the information, which he believes must be addressed and taken seriously in order for the information to reach the intended recipients.
He urged the district’s local leaders to move and always share information with the locals so that they are always up to date.
Speaking at the start of the training, Julius Beyongyera, the Sheema district communication officer, urged more efforts to be made so that available information could reach end-users.
District natural resource officers, production department members, and communication officers, among others from the districts of Mbarara, Ntungamo,Rukungiri,Rukiga,Kabale,Rubanda,Kisoro,Rubirizi and Bushenyi, attended the training.
