BUSINESS Report By Leo Odera Omolo
REPORT emerging from Ugandan capital Kampala says delays in executing recently-passed Atomic energy law could cost Uganda Ushs 2.14 Billion(USD one millions in technical support from the global atomic agency..
The Atomic Energy Act 2008 was passed by Ugandan Parliament last year to provide a legal and regulatory framework.
This would have enabled enable the country receive technical assistance in form of radiological materials from the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA).
A report appearing in the government owned daily, THE NEW VISION, says Uganda has been benefiting from the agency’s technical cooperation in the tune of a bout USD 1million per year (equivalent to USD 2.14 billion in terms of equipment and training.
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The energy and mineral development ministry has failed to implement the law because it hasn’t set up an Atomic Energy Council, which is supposed to monitor nuclear materials.
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“The absence means the law cannot be implemented “,the report quoted an independent source in Kampala saying.
The same source explained Mulago Hospital and Industries using nuclear radiation materials cannot import such materials.
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The source added that the situation was likely to interfere with the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology.
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Huge amounts of uranium reserves have been discovered in Kabale and Kagadi in South Western Uganda.
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Uranium is a mineral used for power generation and in the making of telephone alloys.
The mineral can also be used in cancer treatment and diagnostic procedures like organ scans, crop improvement through integrated nutrient management, through level gauging in soft drinks and assessing geo-thermal resources like those at Katwe and Kibiro in Western Rift Valley.
Last year five names nominated to Atomic council were sent to parliament and cabinet for approval and appointment, but this has not yet happened..
Dr.Joseph Kigula, the head of radiotherapy department at Mulago Hospital, said without the Council,” the law is meaningless.
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“I am disappointed our nuclear radiation materials expired last year. Although w are ot under pressure, we cannot import more materials.” Dr, Kiguta explained.
The tutor stated that the IAEA had advised the Ugandan government to give them funds that they could” bring the materials for us, but this has yet been done. We shall come under pressure in the near future.
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In a bid to exploit Uranium for power generation, a nuclear energy unit under the energy and mineral development ministry was established.
It was expected to prepare long term strategies for the development of nuclear power plants and nuclear fuel management.
UBL,a Canadian firm exploring for Uranium and gold I the country formed an advisory board to steer the Uranium development strategy known as the National Energy Program for Uganda( NEPU)
Some analysts say that Uganda cannot exploit resources until laws and institutions were in place to ensure safe use, a situation that requires President Yoweri Museveni’s intervention.
ENDS
LeoOderaOmolo@yahoo.com
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Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:50:50 -0700 [04/16/2009 02:50:50 AM CDT]
From: Leo Odera Omolo
Subject: UGANDA COULD LOSE A BILLION DOLLAR MEANT FOR URANIUM DEVELOPMENT SUYPPORT FROM THE ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION