Strengthening Climate Resilience in the Lake Victoria Basin: JOOUST's Landmark Initiative

JOOUST is taking a significant step towards enhancing community and ecosystem resilience in the Lake Victoria Basin by addressing the impacts of climate change. As part of the VLIR-IUC Project, the university is installing three state-of-the-art automatic weather stations strategically located within the basin in collaboration with the University of Antwerp. These weather stations are installed at the University’s Blue Economy Institute Research Hub in Miyandhe, on Ringiti Island, and at the Kenya Wildlife Service facility in Mount Elgon. This initiative will enable the long-term monitoring of weather patterns in and around Lake Victoria, laying a foundation for impactful climate research and sustainable development. The weather stations are poised to play a transformative role by enabling precise, real-time weather data for academic and scientific studies; empowering local communities with critical information to enhance safety in lake transport and optimise the sustainable use of aquatic resources; and, supporting a robust early warning system to mitigate risks posed by unpredictable weather events. This initiative not only underscores JOOUST's leadership in climate science but also establishes the university as a key player in promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the livelihoods of communities in the Lake Victoria region.