Uganda, Russia sign MoU on use of nuclear energy

The Russian Federation and government of Uganda have signed an intergovernmental pact on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The agreement was signed during the 63rd International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General conference that kicked off today in Vienna, France.

The agreement was signed by Deputy Director General – Director of international activities of Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, Nikolay Spassk, and the Minister of energy and mineral resources of the Republic of Uganda Eng. Muloni Irene Nafuna.

According minister Muloni, the agreement meets all modern requirements for such documents and lays the foundation for practical cooperation between Russia and Uganda in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

In particular, it implies joint work in areas of creation of nuclear infrastructure, production of radioisotopes for industrial, healthcare, agricultural use, as well as education and retraining.

The parties agreed to exchange visits for industry experts in the near future and to create workgroups for specific applications like in specific areas, including construction of the Centre for nuclear science and technology in Uganda on the basis of a research reactor of Russian design, which is a complex but promising endeavour.

Earlier, at the opening of the conference, Acting Director General of IAEA, Cornel Ferut, the Agency’s membership has increased to 171 countries thus increasing demand for its services.

No other international organization offers the range of services related to nuclear science and technology that the IAEA does, Acting Director General Cornel Feruta said in his opening address to the IAEA’s 63rd General Conference today.

“We contribute to international peace and security by verifying that nuclear material remains in peaceful uses, and we help to improve the well-being and prosperity of the people of the world through the peaceful use of nuclear technology,” he told representatives of IAEA Member States at the start of the week-long annual meeting.

“We help countries on all continents to generate electricity, produce more food, manage their water supplies, combat deadly infectious diseases affecting humans, plants and animals, and treat cancer,” Mr Feruta said.

“Our safeguards inspectors are on the road every day of the year, keeping track of nuclear material to verify that it is not diverted from peaceful activities. We serve as the global platform for cooperation in safety and security, helping countries to keep nuclear and radioactive material and technologies safe, and out of the hands of terrorists and other criminals,” he said.