An evaluation of extreme rainfall variability over Uganda using Persiann-CDR

Abstract

Extreme rainfall (>10mm/day) has incontestable effects on socio-economic activities and the livelihood of the citizens of Uganda. Therefore timely, reliable prediction and dissemination of information on extreme rainfall events is of key importance to the country’s development agenda. The main objective of this study was to contribute to the understanding of the variability of extreme rainfall over Uganda. The study analyzed daily rainfall over Uganda for the past 30 years (1989-2018) from PERSIANN-CDR. Spatial and temporal trends were obtained using graphical displays and Mann Kendall tests respectively. Two extreme rainfall thresholds R10mm (indicating number of days with precipitation exceeding 10mm) and R20mm (indicating number of days with precipitation exceeding 20mm) were considered in the analysis. This study shows that the Central and Eastern regions of Uganda are the regions of the country most prone to extreme rainfall and its associated effects.