1. Climate Impact Assessment Using the Media in Uganda, A Case of 2002 Second International Conference on Climate Impacts Assessment (SICCIA) June 28-July 2, 2004 Grainau, Germany Mr. Milton Michael WAISWA (Senior Meteorologist) /National Coordinator RANET Uganda Uganda Department of Meteorology P. O. Box 7025 Kampala miltonmwaiswa@lycos.com http://www.meteo-uganda.net

2. Location of Uganda in Africa

3. Agricultural Production Systems Less vulnerable to climatic extremes Highly vulnerable to climatic extremes

4. Brutality of Extreme Climate Crop failure of a maize garden due to 1999 drought Crop failure of Cassava garden due to 1999 Drought

5. Department Meteorology A government of Uganda Institution with the mandate to observe, monitor and advise on weather and climate issues in the country As part of its work, Climate forecasts are issued towards the start of a wet season.

6. Problem As such a solution is needed For each wet season the Department is supposed to conduct routine climate impact assessments. However this is not a usual activity due to financial constraints.

7. Goal of Presentation Compare approaches in assessing impacts of climate variability and change on a regional scale, including the interpretation and use of seasonal forecasts, and the integration of various disciplinary investigations of climate change.

8. Methods of Dissemination Personal Delivery, Post Office Press Conference, Workshops Telephone, Fax, websites, emails Radios, Televisions News Papers Monitor, Observer, New Vision

9. News Paper:New Vision A daily News Paper Government News Paper Has highest circulation Has news stringers around the country Highly read by policy makers

10. Rainfall forecast-Above normal March-May 2002 There is an increased likelihood of near normal to above normal rainfall over South Western, Western and North Western Uganda

11. Rainfall forecast- normal March-May 2002 Over the Central parts there is an enhanced likelihood of near normal rainfall.

12. Rainfall Forecast –Below normal March-May 2002 There is an increased likelihood for near normal to below normal rainfall over North Eastern extending to South Eastern Uganda,

13. March 2nd 2002

14. March 6 th 2002

15. March 06 th 2002

16. March 8 th 2002 Climate impacts to business in urban areas

17. March 25 th 2002 Climate impacts to the health sector

18. April 1 st 2002

19. April 3 rd 2002

20. April 22 nd 2002 Climate impacts to Education Sector

21. May 9 th 2002 Impact of floods to human settlements in Mbale and Sironko Districts

22. May 10 th 2002

23. May 13 th 2002

24. May 14 th 2002

25. May 21 st 2002 Impact of extreme climate to domestic water use in Gulu District

26. May 22 nd 2002 Impact of floods to human settlements in Bugiri Districts

27. June 4 th 2002 Impact of floods to sanitation in Kabale District

28. June 04 th 2002 Impact of floods in Kabale District

29. June 5 th 2002

30. June 6 th 2002

31. June 06 th 2002

32. June 14 th 2002

33. June 19 th 2002

34. June 20 th 2002

35. June 25 th 2002

36. June 27 th 2002

37. July 15 th 2002

38. August 5 th 2002 Drought impacts in Nakapiripirit District

39. August 05 th 2002

40. August 21 st 2002 Climate impact on food crops in Kumi district

41. August 23 rd 2002

42. August 27 th 2002

43. Lessons: Communication Communicating climate forecasts is an attractive item in the New Vision Paper Policy Makers feature dominantly in the news paper communicating the climate forecasts. End users feature dominantly in the news paper narrating climate impacts.

44. Lessons: Media Personnel In addition to meteorologists the Media profession is a potential resource for conducting climate impact assessments. The Media personnel are also a potential resource to communicate and report climate impacts to policy makers.

45. Recommendations Strengthen capacity of journalists in conducting a climate impact assessment. Enhance multidisciplinary approach of climate impact assessments. Journalists Radio broadcasters Health workers

46. THE END THANK FOR LISTENING