Uniting East African youth to protect our shared freshwater lifeline.
The Twin Lakes Initiative was founded at Nova Pioneer by Jawdan Matovu and Joseph Tenge. By connecting Ugandan and Kenyan student leadership with empirical freshwater biology, we turn the tide against the water hyacinth crisis across Lake Victoria.
An Ecological Crisis Across Shared Waters
Over 30 million people depend on Africa's largest freshwater lake. Invasive water hyacinth mats and agricultural runoff choke critical fish sanctuaries and disable regional landing ports.
12-14 Day Biomass Doubling
Rapid SpreadWater hyacinth reproduces at an exponential rate in warm, nutrient-loaded waters, carpeting entire bays.
Severe Hypoxia & Dead Zones
Ecosystem CollapseDecaying biological matter strips dissolved oxygen, suffocating native Nile Tilapia and Nile Perch stocks.
Cross-Border Economic Strain
30M+ DependentThick floating mats trap fishing vessels at landing sites across Uganda and Kenya, destabilizing local fish trade.
Public Health Vulnerabilities
Vector HazardStagnant shoreline backwaters harbor mosquito breeding sites and bilharzia-carrying freshwater snails.
Nova Pioneer students sampling water hyacinth density and dissolved oxygen saturation at cross-border landing bays.
How Two Students Built a Regional Vanguard
As students from Uganda and Kenya studying in the same classrooms at Nova Pioneer, Jawdan Matovu and Joseph Tenge realized national borders could not separate their shared responsibility to Lake Victoria. Together, they established the Twin Lakes Initiative to synthesize scientific observation, youth mobilization, and circular resource recovery.
A Shared Boundary, A Shared Crisis
Meeting as classmates at Nova Pioneer, we realized Lake Victoria is not just a geographical border between Uganda and Kenya—it is a lifeline for 30 million East Africans facing the same ecological emergency.
Bridging Lab Research with Grassroots Action
We combined scientific fieldwork on water oxygenation with peer-led shoreline cleanups, turning abstract SDG 14 targets into tangible student-led solutions.
Circular Upcycling & Sustainable Futures
By testing organic compost and woven eco-materials from harvested hyacinth biomass, we aim to transform an ecological hazard into local economic utility.
The Student Leadership Team
Combining complementary strengths across advocacy and limnological research.
Jawdan Matovu
UgandaAdvocacy & Community Outreach Lead
Nova Pioneer Student
Focuses on peer leadership, community mobilization, and student outreach campaigns along the Ugandan shoreline.
Joseph Tenge
KenyaResearch & Data Analysis Lead
Nova Pioneer Student
Specializes in freshwater biology, water hyacinth data tracking, and designing peer-led scientific workshops.
Explore Our Current Campus Initiatives
Discover how we organize volunteer shoreline cleanups, data campaigns, and school upcycling workshops.
Meet the Students Uniting Lake Victoria
Combining Ugandan and Kenyan perspectives, scientific inquiry, and grassroots action to safeguard freshwater ecosystems under SDG 14: Life Below Water.
Jawdan Matovu
Co-founder, Advocacy and Community Outreach Lead
A dedicated student leader representing the Ugandan perspective within the Lake Victoria basin. Jawdan coordinates grassroots mobilization, peer-to-peer workshops, and frontline shoreline clean-up operations, turning SDG 14 targets into tangible student community action.
Joseph Tenge
Co-founder, Research and Data Analysis Lead
Specializing in freshwater biology and limnological metrics, Joseph tracks water hyacinth proliferation patterns and hypoxia dead zones. He translates complex field measurements into visual educational resources and upcycling initiatives for regional exhibitions.
Join the Cross-Border Student Movement
Collaborate on campus workshops, shoreline cleanups, or upcycling research projects.