Uganda’s Ambitious Nuclear Power Initiative: Pioneering Clean Energy for the Future

Uganda is gearing up to venture into nuclear power generation by 2031, aiming to produce a significant 1,000 megawatts (MW) of energy. This step forms part of Uganda’s strategy to broaden its electricity sources and expedite its shift towards cleaner energy—a crucial aspect of its approach to tackling climate change.

By: Mike Visser 20 December 2023

Image credit: https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsuganda-plans-to-begin-nuclear-power-generation-by-2031-10682589

With uranium stores within its borders, President Yoweri Museveni has expressed the government’s interest in tapping into this resource for potential nuclear energy projects.

In collaboration with China, Uganda has inked a deal with the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) to facilitate the development of its capacity for utilizing atomic energy for peaceful purposes. The primary nuclear initiative, the Buyende Nuclear Power Plant, is slated for construction approximately 150 km north of Kampala, in Buyende. Energy and Minerals Minister Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu revealed ongoing preparations to assess the site for the Buyende Nuclear Power Plant. This undertaking lays the groundwork for the inaugural nuclear power project set to yield 2,000 MW, with the initial 1,000 MW expected to synchronize with the national grid by 2031.

Uganda’s proactive strides toward integrating nuclear energy into its electricity production aims to fortify energy security and ensure a substantial supply of electricity to fuel industrialization efforts.