UGANDA, Buyende | Real Muloodi News | The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa has warned Buyende District residents against selling their land to speculators looking to take advantage of the upcoming nuclear energy power plant project worth USh34 trillion, which is set to be completed in 2031.
On Thursday 9th March 2023, Nankabirwa said, “I want to call upon our people of Buyende not to rush to sell their land to speculators who would lure you with huge sums of money expecting to get a lot more as compensation from the government. Remain with your land and government valuers will be used as usual, and the rightful owners shall be compensated.”
Background on the Nuclear Power Project
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) endorsed Uganda’s nuclear energy power plant development in December 2021 after a successful review of the country’s nuclear infrastructure.
Buyende was identified as one of eight sites for the construction of a 2,000 MW Nuclear Power Project for introducing nuclear power to Uganda’s electricity generation mix.
Nakasongola and Lamwo districts are among other potential sites for subsequent nuclear power projects for energy security and industrialisation.
The Project’s Land Requirements
The project will require an estimated one square mile of land for the power plant and an additional 34 square miles to be gazetted as an emergency zone for the population’s safety, according to Emmanuel Wamala, the Assistant Commissioner of Nuclear Fuel and Radioactive Waste in the ministry.
The Africa Nuclear Conference
From March 14 to 17, 2023, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development will host a four-day Africa nuclear conference at the Speke Resort Hotel Munyonyo.
Nankabirwa stated that the conference presents an excellent opportunity for Uganda and the African continent to find suitable approaches to the challenges in the nuclear industry.
Over 300 stakeholders from the international nuclear community are expected to attend the conference.
The conference will be held at a time when Uganda is preparing to amend the Atomic Energy Act, 2008, to strengthen the legal regime for nuclear safety, security, safeguards for nuclear material, civil nuclear liability, and maintaining the nuclear institutional framework.
Nuclear Energy as Part of Uganda’s Energy Mix
Seven Sub-Saharan African countries, including Uganda, have committed to having nuclear energy as part of their energy mix between 2030 and 2037.
Uganda is experiencing an ever-increasing population, economic growth, and rising social needs that require sustainable development of energy resources, according to Nankabirwa.
Uganda’s vision for 2040 and the subsequent national development plans to identify electricity as modern energy to shift the country from a peasantry to an industrialised and predominantly urban society will only be realised with the introduction of nuclear energy
Nankabirwa explained, “Ugandan is mixing firm steps to integrate nuclear energy into the electricity generation mix to ensure energy security and provide sufficient electricity for industrialisation. In addition, the government has identified nuclear as part of Uganda’s energy transition plan. It continues to invest in developing the requisite infrastructure, including human capital development in specialised areas to support the early development of nuclear power.”
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