Climate and Hydrology in the Mountain Rwenzoris

The climate of Rwenzori Mountains National Park is tropical, affected by seasonal movements of the inter-tropical convergence zone and by altitude and topography (Howard P.C., 1991). There are two rainy seasons each year from March to May and from August to December (Osmaston and Pasteur, 1972) though these seasons are being alterd due to climate change impacts.

The diurnal temperature range is small; the mean maximum and minimum at Bujuku huts being at 70 C and –10 C and the seasonal variation is slight, the maximum being lower during the rains owing to the limited sunshine (Osmaston and Pasteur, 1972).

One of Rwenzori Mountain’s most important ecological and economic functions is the impact the range has on the area’s hydrological cycle. The range’s permanent streams and rivers contribute to the Nile by way of river Semliki which flows into L. Albert, Rivers Mpanga, Nyamwamba, Mubukuk which flows into Lake George and many other permanent rivers. Agricultural lands surrounding the park are fed partly by the mountain run off and partly from direct rainfall regulated by the Rwenzori forest. The fisheries of Lakes George and Edward, hydropower and irrigation schemes and domestic water supply to over 500,000 surrounding people all benefit from the mountain’s water catchment properties (WWF, 1998).