In a move meant to strengthen meteorological services in the country, the government has installed 9 weather-observing instruments called BUOYS.
A Buoy is an anchored float serving as a navigation mark responsible for monitoring several parameters including rainfall, Air Temperature, Air pressure, Humidity, Visibility, Net and Solar Radiation, Wave Height, Wind Direction, Speed, Wave Width, Lake Current Speed/Direction, Lake Temperature, Water Currents below the surface, Dissolved Oxygen and Water Clarity among others.
According to the ministry of works and transport in consultation with the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) procured the devices as one of the interventions to ensure that lakes are made safe for fishing, and also ensure safe water and air transport.
David W. Elweru, Ag Executive Director Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) says in a statement issued yesterday afternoon that the instruments were bought by the Ministry of Works and Transport in consultation with UNMA and have been placed in different locations in the three lakes.
Elweru says 6 of these gadgets have so far been installed in Lake Victoria, Albert, and Lake Kyooga.
This dispels rumors that have been circulating on social media that the devices are spy cameras targeting different individuals.
UNMA’s public relations officer Lillian Nkwenge explains that data captured by these equipment’s helps in weather forecast.
