If you’ve been sweating non-stop and wondering why Uganda feels like a giant oven, you’re not alone. The sun has been unforgiving, and the heat is unbearable! In early 2025, Uganda recorded some of its highest temperatures ever, with some places hitting a shocking 41°C (105.8°F). This extreme heat has dried up water sources, destroyed crops, and sent many people to hospitals with heat-related illnesses. But what’s really going on? Why is it so hot? And how can we fix this?

Why is Uganda So Hot?

1. Climate Change: The world is getting hotter, and Uganda is feeling the heat. The burning of fuel (like petrol and diesel), cutting down trees, and factory pollution are making the earth hotter. Since 1960, Uganda’s average temperature has gone up by 1.3°C, leading to more heat waves like this one.

1. Deforestation: Every year, Uganda loses about 200,000 hectares of trees because of charcoal burning, timber harvesting, and farming. Trees cool the air and bring rain, but we are cutting them down too fast, leaving us exposed to extreme heat.

1. Growing Cities: More buildings, roads, and metal roofs in towns trap heat, making urban areas much hotter than villages. In Kampala, the heat in the city is about 2°C higher than in the surrounding rural areas.

1. El Niño Effect: This is a natural weather event that makes temperatures even higher. The 2024–2025 El Niño has made Uganda’s heat worse, causing long dry spells and unpredictable rain.

The heat we feel today is the result of choices made yesterday. If we don’t act now, tomorrow will be even hotter.

Johnmary Kavuma

How is the Heat Affecting Us?

• Water is Running Out: Many rivers and wells are drying up. Even Lake Victoria’s water levels have dropped in recent years.
• Food is Becoming Scarce: Farmers are struggling to grow food. In 2024, maize production dropped by 30% because of the heat.
• People Are Getting Sick: The number of people suffering from dehydration, heat strokes, and breathing problems has increased. In 2025, hospitals saw a 40% rise in heat-related illnesses.
• Fires Are Destroying Land: Dry conditions have caused wildfires, burning more than 700 hectares of forests in 2024.

What Can We Do to Stop This?

1. Plant More Trees: Trees provide shade, bring rain, and help cool the environment. Uganda’s tree cover has dropped from 24% in 1990 to just 12.4% today. We need to plant more trees!
2. Save Energy: Using solar power, reducing electricity use, and cutting down on fuel burning will help slow down global warming. Uganda aims to use 90% renewable energy by 2040.
3. Store Rainwater: Since water is becoming scarce, collecting and storing rainwater can help during dry seasons. Households should install rainwater tanks.
4. Use Eco-Friendly Products: Avoid burning plastics, recycle, and use biodegradable materials. Uganda produces 600 metric tons of plastic waste every day, which damages the environment.
5. Speak Up for Climate Action: We need better policies to protect forests, regulate industries, and promote clean energy. Join environmental groups, spread awareness, and demand action from leaders.

Final Thoughts

This heat wave is a wake-up call! If we don’t take care of our environment, things will only get worse. But there is hope! If we plant more trees, save energy, and fight pollution, we can cool Uganda down and create a better future.

Let’s act now before it’s too late!