Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, has sparked debate after saying he trusts village rainmakers more than official weather forecasts.
Tayebwa made the remarks while opening an MPs’ climate change induction session at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, organised by the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change-Uganda.
The Deputy Speaker questioned the accuracy of official weather predictions, saying rural communities often turn to traditional rainmakers because their forecasts appear more reliable to them.
Tayebwa used the remarks to call for greater investment in modern weather monitoring equipment and improved systems for delivering weather information directly to farmers.
He said forecasts should be presented in simple, easy-to-understand formats and delivered to farmers through their mobile phones so they can make informed decisions about planting and other agricultural activities.
According to Tayebwa, accurate and timely weather information is particularly important for Uganda because much of the country’s agriculture depends on rainfall.
He said better weather forecasting could help farmers prepare for changing weather conditions and reduce the risks associated with climate-related disasters.
🇺🇬 VIDEO:
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa says he would rather trust his village rainmaker than Uganda’s weather forecasts, questioning their reliability despite Parliament’s push for more funding and equipment.
At the MPs’ climate change induction at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, he said predicted rain sometimes fails to arrive. He urged support for better equipment and forecasts delivered to farmers’ phones in languages they understand, before disaster strikes.
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— Parliament Watch (@pwatchug) October 6, 2026
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