In support to the existing stove testing team and to enhance the capacities of the Regional Testing and Knowledge Centre (RTKC) as supported by the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (GACC), CREEC hired additional staff. The RTKC is developing into an independent and internationally recognized stove testing service using globally accepted testing procedures for the East-African region as well as a knowledge centre providing stove design studies, recommendations and improvements.

Agnes Naluwagga has started as Coordinator of the RTKC as per June 2013. She has a degree in Electrical Engineering and post graduate training in Project Planning and Management with a good amount of relevant experience in the energy sector in Uganda and Kenya. She was involved in planning and maintenance activities at various hydropower generation plants and provided technical support and coordinated projects aimed at promoting cogeneration technology in a number of African countries and strengthening small and medium-scale enterprises engaged in renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa. Agnes’ role will be to coordinate all the RTKC’s activities and act as CREEC’s prime contact for stove manufacturers, distributors, promoters and other stakeholders in the sector.

Furthermore, since June 2013, two full time bioenergy technicians are employed as well: Jackson Mutegeki, who was already serving on a 50% basis at CREEC, and newcomer Nelson Byanyima. Both engineers recently completed their bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science at Makerere University and are already fully engaged in stove testing, procedure development and training programs.

With the appointment of these three motivated and qualified staff members, CREEC is confident to continue high-quality support of the East-Africian and global cookstove sector.