Marvin Mugume, a first-year student of Information Systems and technology at Makerere University has created an alcohol breathalyzer commonly known as Kawunyemu. With the help of his colleague identified as Isaac Mubiru, Mugume has named his newly created device ‘Project Kaseke’ which originates from a Luganda word meaning straw.
According to these students, the existing devices used by police are likely to transmit diseases since all drivers blow in the same place. Mugume’s device, however, uses a different straw for each user, an innovation they think will solve the risk of transmitting diseases.
According to Mugume, most officers do not know how to use the current breathalyzer devices as he promised that his newly developed device will be user-friendly.
“This is meant to increase the user friendliness as you know some officers actually don’t know how to use these devices. We carried out research and found that out of 100 drivers, only one can be able to read what the current kuwunyemu device shows. But with ours, there will be simplicity.” Mugume said.
How It Works
For the device to detect the smallest amount of alcohol in someone’s breath, it asks for the driver’s permit number immediately when it is switched on. The number must be entered before one blows into the breathalyzer, which is created with alcohol detecting sensors inside.
When someone is sober, the device will show a green light indicating that one’s breath is alcohol-free. The device signals a red light with words on the screen indicating that the driver is drunk and therefore should be arrested.
The device also has a charging and a data port, which are connected to the computer for data programming and entry. This device has been designed with the ability to connect to the internet which enables it to fetch the user’s data from the central database.
Despite his breakthrough in creating such an amazing device, Mugume adds that he plans to add more features to the device such as a fingerprint scanner but he is currently limited by funds.
“We know some drivers move with duplicates of their driving permits, and some don’t move with them. So with the fingerprint scanner, the information of your biodata can be sent to a central database and this information can be used to bring back your national ID information, your driver’s permit information and all the necessary information to be used in court if you are caught above the law.” Says Mugume.
The Project Kaseke device goes for UGX 150,000 for both home and public use.