Application of the Convention on Nuclear Safety to the Nuclear Energy Policy in the Republic of Uganda

The Convention is based on the parties' common interest to achieve high levels of safety. It obliges parties to submit reports on the implementation of their obligations for peer review at meetings that are normally held at the IAEA headquarters. The Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) comprises of 19 articles stipulated in four sections i.e. general provisions, legislation and regulation, general safety considerations and safety of installations. The section on general provisions emphasizes safety of nuclear power plants that already exist when the convention enters into force. Legal and regulatory framework section entails establishment of the regulatory body to ensure safety of nuclear installations through licensing, inspection and enforcement. The section on safety of installations suggests ways of ensuring safety throughout the three phases of nuclear facilities i.e. siting, design and construction, and operation. Methods of handling spent fuel should be identified ahead of time such that this burden is not pushed to the future generation. Uganda is considering introducing nuclear energy in its electricity generation mix. A number of conventions and international treaties on peaceful utilization of nuclear energy are being examined an The participation in the Convention on Nuclear Safety is crucial to all countries with nuclear installations and those actively planning to develop them. Uganda should address the deficiencies in the Atomic Energy Act, 2008 in the new policy and efforts should be made towards accession to the convention on Nuclear Safety and other related Nuclear Safety and security conventions.