By Janet Moriku.

Gulu

District leaders and other stakeholders have challenged the media to popularize a newly developed code that eases access to weather information using phones. This was during a workshop organized by Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) and World Food Programme (WFP) at Bomah Hotel in Gulu city on 23^rd March 2023.

UNMA in collaboration with Makerere University collage of Agriculture have developed a code that can be used to access weather information.
The code *201# being used for pilot purposes provides daily and seasonal forecasts but also has a provision for feedback and subscription for weather information at an SMS cost of less than 200 shillings only. Stakeholders welcomed the innovation, however, the costs involved in accessing the weather information through the *201# code is thought be a hindrance for beneficiaries who might not be able to afford it. They also raised queries about how beneficiaries who do not have phones will be able to access the information.

Abubakar Kalema a meteorologist with UNMA revealed that the authority is looking for partners to work with so as the charges can be paid for and access made free. Stakeholders were as well concerned about the information accessed through the *201# code being only in English which is a limitation, urging UNMA together with partners to devise means of introducing other local languages for easy understanding among beneficiaries even at the household levels.
Participants also challenged the media to take lead in popularizing the code which gives alerts of weather information to help in decision making, not only for farmers but other sectors like transport, health, research, infrastructure development and many other functions.
The representatives from various media houses from Northern Uganda and West Nile sub regions pledged collaboration with responsible partners to ensure promotion of the code is a success.

COVER PHOTO: Abubakar Kalema speaking to participants By Janet Moriku.