Uganda Diversifies Use of RIPI Account

When the UDM (Uganda Department of Meteorology) introduced RANET in country, its main objective was to improve the flow of monthly Weather Bulletins to farmers in rural communities.   To do so it utilized user friendly information technologies and worked with community-based partner organizations. The flow of the weather information from the Department to the rural farmers required the use of the following information technologies. The farmers, who are the end beneficiaries, use a WorldSpace receiver connected to a computer to download weather bulletins from the website via the AfriStar satellite. The RANET server is configured to pick the website and send to the satellite, for re broadcast over Africa. With this technological set up, an operational website was important to realize the information flow from the producer to the user.  The ground stations were often placed with agricultural extension officies or similar community-based NGO offices.

However at the time RANET was introduced, UDM like a number of Africa Meteorological Services did not have an operational website of its own. It was on this basis that UCAR JOSS began the RIPI (RANET Internet Presence Initiative) activity to support Meteorological Services development of a website, as well as to gain experience with web based technologies and services.

By participating in the RIPI program, UDM acquired the website http://www.meteo-uganda.net.   Meteorological information, in form of seasonal and monthly bulletins, are posted to the website from which the RANET Server pick the information and relays it to the AfriStar satellite. The farmers in the rural communities will then download this information on to their computers using the WorldSpace receiver. 

Overtime farmers started requesting for frequent updates on weather. The farmers needed weekly updates on weather conditions. The challenge of providing such an information service, was establishing a timely flow of weather data from the rural community to the Department. There were no weather stations in the RANET sites to provide local weather data. Even then labor needed to observe weather daily was not there in place.

Faced with the above challenges UDM had to think of alternatives ways to solve the problem.  Since there was an operational website an idea was developed of receiving weather data from the rural community via the same website at affordable costs. In terms of ensuring daily weather observation the Davis Automatic Weather Station was identified. It is acquired at relatively inexpensive cost to other AWSs, and it has software which can post weather data to a website internet. The later makes integration of this AWS into existing network activities an easy task.

Establishing an internet facility in a rural community can be really very expensive. Therefore UDM took two approaches. One was to establish the weather station at a site where a Partner organization has an established internet facility. The second option was to use GPRS modems which can use available cellular networks and establish an internet connection. Fortunately Uganda has four Cellular Network Companies. These include MTN Uganda, Uganda Telecom, Warid and Zain. All these networks provide cellular based internet though at different efficiency and costs.

The availability of these networks, operational website and Davis AWS has enabled the UDM develop new networks of regional automatic weather Stations in the Country that enable timely remote access to weather data from rural communities. This is achieved through working Partner Organizations in the Country.WFP provided funds to purchase the AWS, computers and travel to the region, while UDM provided the expertise.  A GPRS modem with a either MTN or Uganda Telecom Sim Card is installed on each computer. The AWS software is configured to upload weather data at set times like synoptic hours, through the GPRS modem to website. On the website each AWS is allocated a folder (account) such that data uploaded from each station is posted in its designated folder. At each site a trained District Officer switches on the computer to allow automatic downloading and uploading of the weather data. 

Teso-Karamoja AWS Network
Last year through cooperation with WFP (World Food Program), UDM established a network of six AWS covering both Teso and Karamoja Regions of Uganda. Whereas these regions experience frequent droughts, flood and weather induced food shortages, there was no weather stations to monitor the weather conditions. As both WFP and UDM had similar interests to reduce food shortages in that region, an idea was developed to establish in the Regions a network of Automatic Weather Stations that could monitor weather and provide weather records remotely via a website.

At each of the six sites, a Davis AWS was installed, a computer set and GPRS modem provided. The AWS is linked to a computer through a station Receiver placed in the office.

The AWS software installed on the computer is used to configure the AWS to observe weather at any time interval of choice like 30 minute in Uganda.The setup allows different stakeholders to have timely access to weather data via website of http://www.meteo-ganda.net/karamoja.html. The system has been found user friendly by stakeholders and has attracted more funding to expand it in both of the regions. During a review meeting between stakeholders and UDM, it was agreed that the density of the Network in the region is increased by six Davis AWS to capture the different rainfall patterns.

The Uganda Department of Meteorology has been successful in this activity through supportive contribution by the many different stakeholders in the region. UDM would to particularly acknowledge UCAR JOSS which provides the RIPI facility through support from USAID OFDA, the WFP Uganda Office which provided local funding, and the Local District Administration Offices which provides site office and personnel to supervise the AWS operations.

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Author:  M. Waiswa, Uganda Department of Meteorology, mmwaiswa 'at' gmail.com