Uganda has launched a substantial uranium exploration project in Buhweju District, marking an important step forward in the country’s energy development. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development’s Nuclear Energy Department has launched an awareness campaign in Buhweju, heralding the start of a comprehensive statewide uranium exploration effort.
The ministry’s technical team met with political and civic leaders in the Buhweju District headquarters in Western Uganda on Monday, November 27. The relevance of uranium in Uganda’s diversified energy environment was stressed by Emmanuel Wamala, the acting assistant commissioner for nuclear fuel. He added that the objective is to ensure the energy future for future generations, not only fulfill present requirements.
The exploration at Buhweju is part of a broader national effort that includes possible hydropower, biomass, solar, and uranium resources. Wamala emphasized the important significance of nuclear energy in attaining Uganda’s Vision 2040 and meeting the 52,481 MW capacity objective, with nuclear energy accounting for 24,000 MW.
The Buhweju Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Godfrey Tumwebaze, stressed the project’s importance for Uganda’s economic and demographic growth. He stated that nuclear energy provides a reliable and clean energy supply that is critical for industrialization endeavors.
Arua, Pakwach, Adjumani, Masindi, Mbarara, Hoima, Kitgum, Kabarole, and Sembabule are among the districts included by the national uranium prospecting project. Tumwebaze assured the community of the project’s safety and advantages, underlining the relevance of uranium in Uganda’s development ambitions.
Tumwebaze told the community that the strategy to uranium exploration and mining focused on utilizing the resource while ensuring the benefits are shared with local people. The Buhweju Chief Administrative Officer, Robert Abenaitwe, underlined that exploration and mining operations should produce in real advantages for the areas concerned, such as infrastructure development and employment generation.
