INVAP-SE, the contractor hired by the government to develop the Centre for nuclear science and technology in Uganda has arrived at site. The team is in Soroti for site evaluation, design studies and development of preliminary designs for the centre. Led by the team from the ministry of energy and mineral development. The assistant commissioner, Mr. Baguma and his delegation is in Soroti university to introduce the team to the host institution where the centre will be established.
The signing comes just over 17 months after INVAP-SE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Uganda’s Government during the Nuclear Business Platform conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo. INVAP-SE has now embarked on the process of undertaking site evaluation at Soroti University, where 45 acres of land have been allocated, and come up with technical studies and designs for the centre for nuclear science and technology. The centre will host Uganda’s first nuclear research reactor, which will be used for the purpose of education, training, production of radioisotopes and research in the nuclear industry, according to a press statement.
The Government of Uganda is also in the process of amending the Atomic Energy Act of 2008, and introduce a new legislation that broadens the space for the operation of nuclear energy.
According to a press statement, INVAP-SE will ensure that Soroti University meets all the technical and safety requirements for the nuclear centre. This will be followed by the technical designs for the centre.
The project is expected to be funded by the Government of Argentina, leading to more collaborations between the two countries, especially with regards to regulation. Uganda will face the challenge of regulating the ever-changing nuclear technologies, although some officials within the Ministry of Energy have argued before that they are not ready to take up any first-of-its-kind nuclear reactor.
They are looking for something that has been tried and tested, and has passed regulatory benchmarks. Batebe said Argentina has a stellar track record of putting up safe nuclear technologies, and the collaboration should guide Uganda on this unchartered territory.
Pablo Maximo Abbate, the Vice President of INVAP-SE, said the company is going to commit the best team available for the Soroti project.