Our Programs
Weather and Climate
We have established two auto weather stations and manual rain gauges at secondary schools (Bulucheke SS and Gamatui SS) in Mt Elgon. Our vision is to have a good network of both auto weather stations and rain gauges, and build capacity in schools in order to effectively monitor the weather parameters in such topographically complex terrain. We are seeking for assistance from our development partners and well-wishers to acquire more auto weather stations.
Landslide Monitoring
MIRI research team monitors different types of earth movements such as landslides, debris flows, earthflows, mudflows, rock falls and soil erosion. It applies varied technologies and methods such as remote sensing, field observations, interviews, and discussions. The purpose of monitoring these phenomena is to secure relevant qualitative and quantitative data for informing policy, planners as well as research programmes at multi-scale levels. We operate and work in partnership locally with local communities, nationally with government plus private institutions, and internationally with educational institutions, GEO MOUNTAINS among others.
Monitoring Fire Outbreaks
Fire outbreaks whether human or naturally caused pause a serious threat to properties, ecological services and human lives in major mountains of Uganda. The MIRI research team from its Disaster Research Unit (MIRI_DRU) is monitoring the fire incidences and impacts using remote sensing, historical record analysis, GIS modeling and field observation techniques. We work in close associations with local responsible institutions (e.g. National Park Authorities, local government technocrats) and internationally with Universities such as Brown University in the USA.
Glacial Changes
Glacial change is a key indicator of global environmental change especially in terms of climatic changes. The change in glacial cover area and volume have numerous ecological and socioeconomic implications e.g. (i) on availability of water resources downstream (ii) alpine plant species distribution (iii) tourism. Through partnerships with local and international institutions, we participate in monitoring of glacier recession using remote sensing and field observation in Mt Rwenzori, and our publications can be accessed online.
Monitoring Land Usage Changes
Monitoring land use changes and emerging consequences in vulnerable landscapes adjacent conservation areas is paramount to informing action for appropriate management policies at multiple scales.