Uganda has allocated $13 million (50 billion UGX) from its contingency fund to mitigate the impact of harsh weather conditions expected in July.

The government announced Tuesday that the funding, approved by the cabinet on Monday, would finance emergency food relief and other interventions in areas projected to be hardest hit by prolonged dry conditions.

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, said that the prevailing temperature outlook for July was expected to be higher than average.

She attributed the conditions to the ongoing El Nino phenomenon over the equatorial, central and eastern Pacific Ocean.

Ms Lumumba said the above-average temperatures forecast for July pose significant risks to livelihoods, agriculture and the broader economy.

She said that the anticipated heat was likely to reduce agricultural production, worsen food insecurity, strain water resources, and increase cases of heat-related illnesses, waterborne diseases and malnutrition.

She stated, “The prolonged dry conditions can also reduce household incomes, fuel conflicts over scarce water and pasture, and drive up food prices.”

According to Ms Lumumba, food supplies have already been mobilised through the Office of the Prime Minister for distribution to the semi-arid northeastern Karamoja region, which is expected to bear the brunt of the dry spell.

The government urged the public to conserve water, adopt supplementary irrigation where possible, and use available food supplies efficiently.

(Xinhua/NAN)