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I have filmed numerous fuel-efficient stove projects, and seen many in action, and although they always seem like an environmentally sound project it always feels a bit like a drop in the ocean.  

So I wasn't so sure about Ugastoves until I arrived there. Most of the stoves I have seen being made in the past are by a few artisans producing only a few stoves a day. At Ugastoves it is pretty labour intensive and there is a definite system, which Mustapha the production manager is proud to point out is an efficient chain production.   Their output is in the thousands per month and driving around Kampala and its outskirts you see the Ugastoves for sale all over the place.  Obviously they are doing something right.  I spent an afternoon travelling around on their marketing truck, music blaring and the MC shouting about the Ugastoves.  It is like an extended party, when you stop in the villages, people dance around the truck, as well as occasionally buy a stove.

The scale of Ugastoves and their future plans are likely to make a considerable difference to the amount of money spent on charcoal and the amount of trees needed to be cut.  Although even the National Environment Management Authority executive director admits that it is not the solution to the deforestation, but is definitely heading in the right direction.  For countries like Uganda there really is no other viable choice to charcoal.

Trying to film busy markets and streets in Kampala is difficult as there is a real divide between people's opinions of being filmed.  Some people constantly run around trying to be in frame, others move out of the way or let you know that they do not want to be videoed, but there are others that spend a lot of time getting into your frame so that they can complain that you are videoing them and want recompense.  A real juggling act that Ugastoves were adept at controlling.

When making a video like this you would want to film beautiful pristine stoves, but travelling around Kampala and shooting these stoves in action, they are a bit grubby and chipped, but this is exactly what these stoves are about.  They are practical and hard working, perhaps like the staff at Ugastoves.