A Ugandan investor is planning to set up a plant which will use foodstuff like maize, cassava and sugarcane to manufacture oil and gel for lighting and cooking respectively. The investor, who currently imports the biofuels (synthetic oil and gel) from their South African-based parent company Liquifier Pty Limited, hopes to set up the plant in Uganda by the end of June next year.
According to the General Manager of Liquifier Uganda limited, Mr. Michael Musoke, the plan is to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere through reduced deforestation and consequent charcoal burning.
"It will be the only gel manufacturing plant in Uganda, the East and Central African region," Musoke said. "There is a lot of garden surplus in Uganda, which we shall use," he adds, to justify where the feedstock (crops to be used to produce the fuels) will come. He says since their operations will depend mainly on farm produce, "we shall also support the farming sector by offering them more seeds to plant, provide farm inputs and provide the necessary advisory services."
Liquifier Uganda limited became operational in Uganda two years ago but its products were only launched last month. Their products have since found their way into most super markets in Kampala. Among the products are synthetic oil, which burns in specially designed lamps made of durable, hard plastic, which does not get destroyed when used for lighting.
The Liquilamp, which takes half a litter of synthetic oil, goes for Shs26,000 ($15) and giving 60 hours of burning or lighting. According to Musoke, the synthetic oil has been mixed with citronella, a mosquito repellant.
A litre of gel, which burns in a specially designed stove, goes for Shs3,600 ($2) . A five-litre gel pack goes for Shs18,000 ($10) and according to Musoke, it burns for a period of three to four weeks for light cooking.
Musoke describes the products as smokeless, odourless, highly portable, leaving minimal residue after use and producing twice as much energy, compared to gas and paraffin. "It's also non-poisonous and can be used as anti-septic on the skin," he says. "Research on our products found Liquifier is a better alternative compared to other products (such as gas and paraffin)," he adds.Biofuels are gaining firm ground in Uganda, with many companies and individuals opting to convert arable land to enable production of the feedstock used to manufacture fuel from the crops.
The Monitor