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Claus Lumu, a dealer in solar stoves who is based in Kira municipality, Waksio district says solar stoves are the way to go. 

“The source of energy is clean and allows one to cook meals faster, compared to traditional cooking stoves which use firewood and charcoal. He adds that, the stove is molded in a way that facilitates easy transfer of heat from one cooking panel to another. 

These stoves use volcanic rocks or stones to produce heat and energy. They have an inbuilt air system that is used to help the stones or rock particles to keep burning. 

Once it is lit, the charcoal dust burns slowly and the heat is transferred to the stones that become red, having been enabled by a fan that is also inbuilt. 

Heat is controlled by the dimmer switch on the stove.

Maureen Nassozi, a business women and resident of Nakawa says that though her sales from the charcoal business depreciated, there is need to preserve the environment, thus, embracing solar or biogas cooking is the way to go. 

“In addition to other benefits, solar cooking saves your home from fire outbreaks,” she says.

Lumu says the product is a once-in-a-lifetime investment. He explains that an average Ugandan family uses about two bags of charcoal in a month, each costing between sh70,000 and sh100,000, which may total up to about sh1m a year. 

Yet slightly over half that amount will get you a stove for a lifetime and stones that have to be replaced every two years.

Requirements needed for the stove

Electricity: 

This is used in welding the stoves’ housing, handles, covers, oven trays, and door

 Solar power:

This is used with a combination of electricity to boost the lighting of the stove while preparing meals and the oven.

 Iron sheets: 

These make up the body of the stoves to ensure durability.

Volcanic stones:

These are lightfast and help in saving charcoal.

 Charcoal dust:

In order to save or eradicate the use of charcoal that is got through cutting down trees, charcoal dust is added to the volcanic stones to create a fire in eco-friendly stoves.

Sand and bricks:

These are used in the construction of the stove chambers since it is put in one permanent place until it is pulled down.

Battery: This is used to transfer solar energy from the upper part of the structure into the stove, mainly on the side of the oven. The battery is useful since the stoves use a fan to ensure aeration while in use.

The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) issued an official statement pronouncing commercial charcoal burning in Uganda illegal. 

Dr Barirega Akankwasa, the NEMA executive director, said the agency has never issued an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate to any of the commercial charcoal dealers, making the trade illegal in the country. 

Akankwasa wants the Uganda Police, district local government leaders, the National Forest Authority (NFA), and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute people found engaging in commercial charcoal production. 

The charcoal ban is necessary if we are to mitigate effects of climate change in our world today, therefore, the prudent thing is to embrace other forms of cooking energy, like solar-aided stoves.