Regional and farm level droughts characteristics for southwestern Uganda during 1981–2017

An increase in drought events associated with rising temperatures indicates that Uganda is facing a growing challenge from climate variability. Despite these challenges, there is a lack of comprehensive information on how climate variability affects soils, particularly drought characteristics. In an effort to address this limitation, this study utilised high-quality, in-situ climate data and soil Available Water Capacity (AWC) specific to south-western Uganda. The study employed the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and the Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) to assess drought occurrences over the period 1981–2017. Notably, the results from the 3-month SPEI indicated higher frequencies across all drought categories. Meanwhile, the 12-month SPEI exhibited more stabilised negative and positive truncations for drought and wet events, respectively. Analysing the temporal evolution of monthly PDSI values for five major soil mapping units revealed distinct patterns. Moderate droughts were observed over Lixic Ferralsols between 1981 and 1992 and between 1998 and 2008. Extreme drought events occurred during the first 5–7 months of 2017. Luvisols exhibited prolonged negative truncation levels, indicating a water deficit during several periods: 1982–1984, 1990–1994, 1998–2000, 2010, and 2012–2014. Histosols experienced drought conditions from 1982 to 1986, interspersed with wet events in 1988, 1997, 1999–2002, and 2005. The study emphasises the differential response of soil units to drought and wet conditions. As a result, the research recommends implementing water management practices such as irrigation, mulching, conservation tillage, zero tillage, and drainage for all soils to enhance resilience and sustainable agricultural practices in the region.