Uganda advances Nuclear Energy ambitions with IAEA review

Uganda and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have commenced their second review of the country’s uranium program in two years.

The review aims to assess Uganda’s preparedness for the exploration phase and nuclear energy production, which is expected to commence within the next seven years.

Despite funding challenges, Uganda targets 24,000MW from nuclear energy, accounting for nearly half of its total energy mix by 2040.

IAEA nuclear scientists are currently in Kampala conducting the review, evaluating Uganda’s capacity, legal framework, safety benchmarks, environmental protection, and infrastructure development.

The agency will provide an objective assessment of Uganda’s capacity at the end of the 10-day review.

Uganda has identified several sites for uranium production and nuclear energy but is yet to quantify the capacity of its deposits. The government is amending the Atomic Energy Act, 2008, to strengthen the legal framework for exploration, mining, and processing of nuclear fuel resources.

The country’s electricity generation potential from hydro, biomass, geothermal, and peat cannot meet the Uganda Vision 2040 targets, making nuclear energy integration necessary. Uganda has started an aggressive program to quantify its uranium deposits, requiring 4,000 tonnes per year.

However, funding remains a significant challenge, with questions surrounding the availability of funds to build the first nuclear plant. The government has approved a five-year project to quantify Uganda’s uranium deposits, but concerns persist about the timeline.

Uganda has made progress in its nuclear energy journey since the last IAEA review in 2022, addressing capacity and legal framework issues. The country anchors its nuclear energy program on the Atomic Energy Act, 2008, and the Minerals and Mining Act of 2022.

Despite the challenges, Uganda remains committed to nuclear energy due to environmental concerns, as it is the lowest carbon emission source. The country has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Company Ltd to build its first nuclear facility, a 2,000MW plant in Buyende, eastern Uganda, estimated to cost $9 billion.