Ugandans across the country looked up in awe last night as the moon transformed into a deep red orb in the sky — a rare and breathtaking celestial event known as the Blood Moon.
The full lunar eclipse, visible from much of eastern Africa, painted the night skies with rich crimson hues as the moon passed through the Earth’s shadow, thrilling sky-watchers in Kampala, Gulu, Fort Portal, and beyond.
Above Kampala City, the moon hung low over minarets, casting a dramatic light that had many residents stopping to take photos and marvel at the spectacle. The eclipse began around 8:30 PM local time, with the total eclipse — or "totality" — peaking just before 9:45 PM EAT, before fading into a partial shadow.
While most of the Americas missed the event, Uganda had perfect viewing conditions. From rooftop bars in Ntinda to open fields in Mbarara, Ugandans gathered under the night sky, many capturing the moment on phones or simply watching in silence.
“I watched from Namungoona with my kids. It was so red and bright — we’d never seen anything like it before,” said Lydia Nankunda, a teacher and amateur stargazer. “It’s moments like this that remind us of how beautiful our world is — even from Kampala’s busy skies.”
According to astronomers, the red appearance of the moon is caused by Rayleigh scattering, the same effect that makes the sky blue and sunsets red. When the moon passes into Earth’s shadow, sunlight is filtered through our atmosphere — scattering shorter blue wavelengths and allowing red light to reach the lunar surface. This is what gives the moon its eerie, copper-red glow during a total eclipse.
Rachel Dutton, a fellow from the Royal Astronomical Society, told the BBC: “The atmosphere of the Earth acts like a prism. If we were a planet without an atmosphere, the Moon would just appear to go dark — but instead it moves into that red shadow area and gives us that glorious colour.”
The total phase of the eclipse lasted just over an hour, after which the moon began to return to its usual pale glow. A partial eclipse continued until around 10:56 PM local time, followed by a faint penumbral eclipse that ended by midnight.
On social media, Ugandans took to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, posting photos and reactions using hashtags like #BloodMoonUg and #LunarEclipse2025. Some even organized watch parties or impromptu picnics under the stars.
“First time seeing this with my eyes. Nature is the real cinema!” tweeted @MaamaKezi. Others shared images of the moon hanging over Lake Victoria, Makerere Hill, and even Boda stages, adding a magical touch to everyday life.
The next total lunar eclipse visible from Uganda is expected in March 2026, although it may not be as vivid. Until then, sky enthusiasts are encouraged to keep an eye on upcoming celestial events and enjoy the wonder above us.
