The Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) has requested for Shs10 billion for the purchase of a Super Computer that would be used to more reliably predict weather.
The authority made the request before Parliament yesterday, took the decision to disband UNMA and have its functions returned to the Ministry of Water and Environment.
“There is underfunding is in the following areas; procurement of a super computer that requires Shs 10 billion. That super computer would enable them to more reliably predict weather and give more accurate information, they need Shs 10 billion for that. Dissemination of weather forecast they need Shs 1 billion,” said Emmanuel Otaala, the chairperson Parliament’s Environment Committee, while presenting the report on the 2024/25 ministerial policy statement.
Supercomputers produce weather forecasts, watches, warnings and a whole host of data for the public. These computers run sophisticated computer programs, called numerical models, to create forecasts used by the private sector and the public.
Last year, government entered into an agreement with Atmo, a California tech company, to provide a super computer for accurate weather forecast.
The new meteorology system was supposed to use AI.
We don’t know what became of this deal.
