UNBS asked to crack whip on substandard stoves

Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has been urged to ensure that manufacturers and distributors of improved cook stoves adhere to quality assurance.

"There is need for UNBS to intervene because the manufacturers of improved cook stoves are not seeing quality assurance as a priority," said Agnes Nalwanga, an official from Centre for Research in Energy and Energy Conservation.

She said the market is flooded with substandard cook stoves as consumers are yearning for new clean cooking technologies.

The research official was speaking during a baraza that brings together workers in renewable energy sector organized by Uganda National Association of Clean Cooking in Kampala.

A cook stove innovator talks about the standard improved cook stove. (Credit: Francis Emorut)

Geofrey Muhwezi, a member of the association, shared Nalwanga's sentiments, saying the standards agency needs to crack a whip on manufacturers and distributors of improved stoves that don't meet quality assurance.

Gloria Birungi, the communications officer of Uganda National Association of Clean Cooking, observed that many manufactures are yet to see the value of quality improvement and involvement of the standardization of the process.

Participants agreed that it is essential to ensure that high quality improved cook stoves are the ones sold on the market.

The general feeling was that new clean cooking technology stoves should be the type that reduce exposure to heat, have suitable height and are portable (made out of durable material), well ventilated and combustion placement, among others.

EXAMPLES OF IMPROVED COOK STOVES