The government plan to establish the National Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology at Soroti University are in high gear with the Hon Minister of State for Energy visiting Soroti University for a high-level meeting with top management of the university. The Ministers visit follows the scientific social research done by the international agencies that established Soroti University as the most suitable to host the Centre.
Minister for Energy Hon. Okaasai S. Opolot addressing Soroti University management (Photo by Nyene Juma Hassan)
Speaking during the high level meeting with the top management of the University, the Minister of state energy in the Ministry of energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Okaasai S.Opolot highlighted the government need to produce enough energy generation to meet the ambitious program at the national level.
Let it be known that peaceful use of nuclear energy is very safe. The establishment of this centre in Soroti University will help in training nuclear scientists in the country and cut the cost of trainings abroad. Human capital development is a critical aspect and we need to train local operators of the nuclear facilities, create awareness on nuclear energy and to support nuclear science and technology education and training in the country. He stated that the govt requires about 16.000-24.000 professional nuclear energy scientists by year 2040.
The Minister and his team are in Soroti University as part of the preliminary stages of operationalising the signed MoU with the University and establishing implementation framework.
The visit is also meant to confirm availability of land and conduct site demarcations and mapping, site technical designing of the project, environment impact assessment and stakeholder engagement.
The Vice Chancellor, Soroti University welcomed the Minister and pledged total commitment to support the project and assured him of the availability of land sufficient to host the centre, manpower, and office space to host the team from the Ministry.
Vice Chancellor Soroti University showing Hon. Minister of State Energy a chank of land earmarked for the Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology. (Photo by Nyene Juma Hassan)
During the tour of the proposed site for the establishment of the Centre, the VC assured the Minister of the University’s total commitment to support the vision of the country and Soroti university’s continued willingness to host any future government programs like the Centre of excellence in solar energy where the factory and training facilities could be established. We already have the requisite manpower trained in solar technology.
The team from the Ministry will also have the career seminar with the students of Soroti University to interest and raise awareness of the opportunities in the nuclear Science and Technology centre. The delegation from the Ministry included the Commissioner planning in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Mr. Okitoi Paul who represented the Permanent secretary, Sarah Nafuna Ag. Commissioner Nuclear Energy, Sabbiti Baguma among other.