In the East African country of Uganda, fuel consumers are using a local brew as an additive to petrol. Kanyanga or Waragi, a local potent gin, can power a 50 CC engine. A Uganda official from the Lira Municipality gave a demonstration of Waragi as a fuel according to the New Vision. James Akena, a lawmaker in Lira, proved that the brew could power a new kind of bicycle to Uganda.
The engine is the first of its kind in Uganda and enables the bicycle to move without the cyclist peddling. New Vision reported that the 50 CC engine costs about $200 and holds about two liters of the Waragi/petrol blend. "A mixture of one liter of waragi and one of petrol may take the bicycle 30 km, with luggage of about 80 kg," Akena said. 15% of waragi can be mixed with 85% of petrol to ignite the engine. But the waragi must be 75% flammable."
The bicycle has an accelerator like that of a motorcycle and uses the normal bicycle rubber braking system in addition to two chains that pull the behind wheel. "The engine is undergoing further testing. I want it to use 80% of waragi because it can serve the people in case of fuel shortages," Akena said.
While the impetus behind the addition of waragi to petrol is brought on by the fuel shortages generated by post-election violence in Kenya, the brew could contribute to lesser green house gas emissions; however, this would have to be studied further. The brew is made from fermented maize flour or millet, or even sorghum, and is put together with tar and heated at high temperatures.
