Supa Sigiri’s Relieve Households In Uganda Of Annual Excessive Charcoal Expenses

By Staff Writer

The Government of Uganda through the Uganda Clean Cooking Supply Chain Expansion Project, a Government of Uganda project, implemented by Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) is encouraging the public to use improved cook stoves dubbed ‘Supa Sigiris’ designed to use less charcoal, emit less smoke and cook faster than the ordinary cooking stoves found in most homes. Currently, Supa Sigiri’s can relieve their users of at least 360,000Ushs worth of annual charcoal expenses.

According to the 2016/2017 Uganda National Household Survey, almost every household in the country either uses charcoal or firewood for cooking, revealing that the dependency on firewood as a source of energy is straining the environment locally, regionally and globally. Ordinary Sigiri’s emit large amounts of black carbon which in the long run contribute to global warming. 

The collective benefits of using any of the Supa Sigiri types are;

• Supa Sigiris use less charcoal,
• Supa Sigiris cooking time is greatly reduced thus making them a faster means of meal preparation,
• Supa Sigiris emit less smoke, and therefore reduce the risk of health issues household members may face in association with smoke fumes released within the home, 
• Supa Sigiris also ensure a cleaner and safer environment generally in the home because of their unique design.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Capital FM Cook off with Supa Sigiri held last Friday, 23^rd August 2019, Michael Oboth Sales Personnel for the Envirofit and Ecozoom cook stoves explained that the Envirofit and Ecozoom are a product of a World Bank research to combat climatic change which has become a global concern. ‘Both Envirofit and Ecozoom cook stoves save consumption rate of fuel by 58%, have a 78% faster cooking rate and 82% smoke reduction.’ Oboth added that one can cook with the Envirofit cook stove in the comfort of one’s choice:  on top of plastic tables, woollen carpets or tiles and they will not cause a fire outbreak.’

Biolite cook stove Representative Uganda Andrew Abacha said, ‘Biolite improved cook stoves can uniquely charge your phone or light up as you cook. It uses minimal amounts of firewood which in the long run addresses environmental, health and financial challenges. It also saves its users money as they need firewood worth only 500 Ushs to cook with every day.’

Charles Akamanya, Sales Representative and Project Development Officer for the Potential Energy cook stove said, ‘The Potential Energy cook stove is versatile, uses both charcoal and firewood, cooks at double the speed and comes with two provisions for cooking both at the top and bottom.’

Debbi Nansumba, Project Officer for the Smart Home Supa Sigiri Cookstove said that being part of the Uganda Clean Cooking Supply Chain Expansion Project has generally created awareness for the cook stoves and widened the market. She called upon the public to use Supa Sigiris cook stoves because of their benefits that make them unique from ordinary sigiris.

Mugwanya Ahmed the Sales Representative for Ugastove cook stoves said, ‘Ugastoves are durable, can work for 4 years, have less carbon emission, save energy and use less charcoal than ordinary sigiris.’

The Supa Sigiris come in 7 brands and are priced as follows:

Any of the 7 Supa Sigiri’s can be bought either by cash or loan (PSFU is reaching out to the various office SACCO’s in and around Kampala for the member credit facility option). Supa Sigiri’s sale points around Kampala and Wakiso can be accessed at the following locations: 

• Shop No. 4 located at Wandegeya market building, Northern wing,
• Johnrich supermarket Kabalagala entrance,
• Bugolobi market entrance, 
• Nakawa market, charcoal entrance shop No. 278, 
• Seeta Trading Centre next to Stanbic bank ATM.
• Capital Shoppers Ntinda and Nakawa Entrance
• Kasubi Market opposite Kobil Petrol Station

Supa Sigiri’s can also be ordered via the phone on 0783813902; via SMS to 8008, Type Sigiri [leave space] your location and send; Email: [email protected]; or by visiting the website www.supasigiri.co.ug. The Supa Sigiri’s are also available on the JumiaUG shop.