EARTHQUAKES IN UGANDA The causes of earthquakes in Uganda are associated to rifting movements in the East African Rift System

(EARS). The western boarder of Uganda lies in the western arm of EARS which is highly seismically active. Other faults such as Katonga and Aswa shear zone are weak zones that influence occurrence of earthquakes in Uganda. Various earthquakes that occurred in the past were recorded on the following dates as follows: On 9th July, 1912 the earthquake occurred in northern Uganda and had a magnitude of 6.7 on Richter scale. The epicentre was around Kitgum. There was partial destruction of buildings in northern Uganda; On 2nd October, 1929 an earthquake occurred in Toro region. It measured 5.9 on Richter scale and triggered landslides; On 18th March, 1945 an earthquake occurred in Sembabule-Masaka regon and it measured 6.0 on Richter scale This earthquake killed five people and destroyed buildings in Masaka Town; On 20th March, 1966 an earthquake occurred in Toro region. It measured 6.6 on Richter scale. This earthquake killed 150 people and injured 1,300 people. It caused an economic loss estimated at US$ 1million (United Stated One Million Dollars); On 7th September, 1990 an earthquake occurred around the Lake Victoria region. The epicentre was at Nakiwogo on the shores of Lake Victoria. It measured 5.0 on Richter scale. This earthquake destroyed semi-permanent buildings around Nakiwogo landing site; On 9th October, 1991 an earthquake occurred in Lake Albert. The epicentre was around Butiaba. It measured 5.3 on Richter scale. The earthquake destroyed semipermanent buildings within the environs of Butiaba; and On 5th February, 1994 an earthquake occurred in Kisomoro (Toro region). It measured 6.2 on Richter scale. The earthquake killed 8 people and caused destruction of property estimated at US$ 61 million (United States Sixty One million Dollars). The recent recorded earthquakes occurred as follows: On 2nd July, 2013 at 13:33:17 GMT (16 hours: 33 minutes:17 Seconds of local time) an earthquake of magnitude 5.0 was recorded at Seismic stations of the Department of Geological Survey and Mines in Entebbe, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. On 3rd July, 2013 an earthquake occurred at 19: 21:46 GMT (22:21:46 local time). It measured a magnitude of 5.6 on Richter scale and was later followed by another one that
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occurred at 22:22:18 GMT (01 hours: 22 minutes; 18 seconds) in the morning of 4th July, 2013 and measured 5.4 on Richter scale. All these recent three earth quakes have epicentres located in Lake Albert in south-western Uganda. The table below gives the details of the location of epicentres, time at which the earthquakes occurred and their magnitudes. The earthquakes have been felt widely in south-western, northern and the central parts of Uganda. Event 1 2 3 Longitude (degrees 1.5 1.5 1.5 Latitude (degrees) 30.8 30.8 30.8 Time (GMT) 13:33.17 19:21:46 22:22:18 Magnitude 5.2 5.6 5.4

In summary, earthquakes are associated with zones of weakness in the planet earth. The figures below show areas prone to earthquakes on the national, regional and international levels.

Earthquakes locations on the national level

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Earthquakes locations on the regional level

Earthquakes locations on the international level