Like Nigeria, Uganda seeks Russia’s expertise on Nuclear energy
While the Federal Government of Nigeria, presses on with its plan to diversify the nation’s energy mix – with the inclusion of nuclear energy, Uganda, on the other hand, has also embraced prospects of nuclear energy.
To this end, the East African nation, has signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy – with the Russian government.
Recall, Nigeria, also signed a similar agreement with Russia in 2017.
This, latest agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, was on the sidelines of the 63rd IAEA General conference in Vienna, Austria.
On behalf of Russia, the document was signed by Nikolay Spassky, Deputy Director General – Director of international activities of ROSATOM, Russia’s state-run nuclear agency and on behalf of Uganda by its Minister of state for energy and mineral resources, Engineer Muloni Irene Nafuna.
Like, the agreement, signed with Nigeria, it meets all modern requirements for such documents and lays the foundation for practical cooperation between Russia and Uganda in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
In particular, it implies joint work in such areas as: creation of nuclear infrastructure, production of radioisotopes for industrial, healthcare, agricultural use, as well as education and retraining.
Both parties agreed to exchange visits for industry experts in the near future and to create workgroups for specific applications like in specific areas, including construction of the Center for nuclear science and technology in Uganda on the basis of a research reactor of Russian design, which is a complex but promising endeavour.
Lately, leading African nations including: Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have embraced prospects of adopting nuclear energy to bridge their energy deficit.
South Africa is currently the only country in Africa with an operational nuclear power plant, which coincidentally produces the cheapest power in the nation.
Recently, Egypt made a groundbreaking deal with Rosatom for the construction of its maiden nuclear power plant in El Dabaa and plans to inaugurate the first unit of the NPP in 2026.
