Russia and the Republic of Korea will construct two nuclear power plants capable of producing approximately 15,000 megawatts (MW), Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has stated, addressing the second G-25 Africa Coffee Summit, which is being attended by leaders and representatives from 25 African coffee-producing countries in Uganda's capital Kampala.
"Russia and South Korea are going to build two nuclear power plants of 15,000 megawatts. The nuclear project comes at a critical time when nations are dealing with how to ensure energy security for socio-economic development," the leader said.
He stated that one unit will create 7,000MW and the second is expected to produce 8,400MW, but the timetable and finance for the projects are unknown.
According to the president, the government intends to export the generated electricity abroad.
Museveni noted that Uganda possesses uranium resources, which are utilized in nuclear power generation, and that various investors have sought him to mine them for export, which he has rejected.
"A western company proposed to mine uranium. I asked them: 'Mine it and take it where?' They said: 'Export it'. I asked: 'Export it for what purpose?' They told me: 'We want to take uranium'," president Museveni said.
Uganda still lacks power and that if companies want uranium, they should be processing it in Uganda for power generation, the leader mentioned.
Museveni also stated that the firm leaders did not respond to his calls. He stated that he prohibited the export of raw materials because the country would lose money and employment if the raw materials were processed overseas.
Earlier, Uganda and Russia agreed to build a nuclear power plant, the agreement was signed during the second Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum held in Russia's St. Petersburg on July 27-28.