Water availability trends across water management zones in Uganda

Abstract This study assessed trends in gridded (0.25° × 0.25°) Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) precipitation, potential evapotranspiration (PET), and precipitation minus PET (PMP) across the four water management zones (WMZs) Uganda including Kyoga, Victoria, Albert, Upper Nile. The period considered was 1979–2013. Validation of CFSR datasets conducted using observed at eight meteorological stations country. Observed trend direction satisfactorily reproduced by data extracted five out stations. Negative (positive) values long‐term PMP mean were to indicate areas characterized scarcity (surplus). Areas with large positive confined Lake Victoria mountains such as Rwenzori Elgon. largest negative arid semi‐arid north northeastern Uganda. null hypothesis H 0 (no trend) rejected ( p < 0.05) for increasing annual various WMZs except extreme eastern parts Nile, (or along boundary Kenya). decreasing over West Nile region western Albert WMZs. For PMP, around Mount Elgon area. findings are relevant planning resources different