The elders of Kabangala parish in Muntu sub-county, Amolatar district, have resolved to perform traditional rain rituals on September 4 following a severe one-month drought that has devastated the area.

Speaking to tndNews, Uganda, on Thursday evening, Ocen Andrew, a UPDF soldier and resident, confirmed that the ritual will be conducted in coordination with an elders’ group.

According to Ocen, Kabangala parish features two distinct rocks or ancient metallic structures that hold deep cultural significance.

In the past, whenever the area faced a severe drought, elders would visit these sacred sites to perform rituals, which would successfully bring rain.

However, the tradition faces modern challenges. Ocen revealed that one of the vital cultural water pots at the site was recently stolen.

Despite the theft, the ritual will proceed on Friday, he said.

Following the rain dance, elders plan to visit the site and ritually turn over one of the remaining rocks, a specific action believed to trigger rainfall.

Ocen called on the entire Amolatar community to join hands with the elders, emphasising the urgent need to preserve their rain-making cultural traditions before they die out completely.

He further noted that the theft of cultural artefacts has become highly rampant in the area, a desecration he believes is a major factor driving the prolonged drought.

The community’s turn to traditional intervention comes amid a severe failure in modern weather forecasting.

Also read: Drought leaves nearly 35,000 households facing food insecurity in Lamwo

The Uganda Meteorological Authority (UNMA) had predicted at the beginning of August that rain would fall consistently throughout August and September.

However, residents report that not a single drop has fallen, leaving crops completely dried up in gardens and sparking fears of widespread food insecurity across the sub-county.