As March 20, 2025, hits, Northern Uganda is buzzing—and this week, the rainy season’s finally started. Those first drops fell a few days ago, and for farmers here, it’s more than just water; it’s the heartbeat of life. Unlike the south with its two wet spells, the north gets one long rainy stretch from March to October, and right now, the land is waking up. The dry, cracked fields of February are turning green, and folks are ready to dig in—literally.
The Rhythm of the Rain
“The rain’s like a drumbeat—when it starts, we all move to it.” – Mama Grace, Nwoya farmer
Farming in Northern Uganda is a family affair, tied to the rhythms of the sky. The rains kicked off this week, right on time around late March, though every year’s a bit of a gamble with climate shifts. When those first drops hit, it was go-time. Farmers rushed to plant staples like maize, millet, sorghum, and cassava—crops that can handle the heat and feed the household. Groundnuts and beans went in too, quick growers that double as cash and food. The kids helped scatter seeds, the elders picked the best spots, and everyone’s praying the rains hold steady.
Timing Is Everything
This season’s start is everything. Too early, and young plants might drown; too late, and the soil stays thirsty. In places like Nwoya, where we at Regenshope Initiative work hand-in-hand with farmers, the talk has been all about timing.
Last year, some saw patchy showers by mid-March, but 2025’s come through with a solid start this week—real rain, not just a tease.
That’s gold for a region where one growing season has to carry you through. The long rains mean fields can bloom for months, but it’s a race to get planting done before the heavy downpours turn paths to mud.
Grassroots Wisdom at Work
Northern Uganda’s farmers don’t just wait for rain—they work with it. Many use tricks passed down through generations: digging small basins to trap water, mixing crops to spread the risk, or planting fast-maturing varieties if the season feels shaky.
My grandfather taught me to mix maize with beans—rain or no rain, something grows.
Okello Anthony, Nwoya youth
Along Anaka – Gulu road you’ll see family gardens buzzing with activity now, folks clearing land out or planting drought-hardy seeds or ways to keep soil from washing away. It’s gritty, hands-on work, and it’s what keeps the north fed.
More Than Crops—It’s Hope
The rains aren’t just about crops—they’re hope. After months of dry dust and hot weather, March signals full granaries by October. Livestock perk up too, grazing on fresh grass as water holes refill.
But it’s not all smooth: too much rain can flood low spots, and pests love the wet. Still, as the clouds roll over Nwoya today, you can feel the energy.
Farmers are out with hoes, kids are eyeing the sky, and the land’s ready to give back what it’s got. This is Northern Uganda’s season to shine—and with the rain falling this week, we’re off to a strong start.
Keep checking in with us as we share more from the fields!
