Uganda faces a projected energy demand of 52,000 megawatts per day by 2040, requiring a significant energy production increase. To meet this challenge, the country is exploring diverse energy sources, including hydropower, geothermal, wind, and oil extraction, said Okaasai Sidronius Opolot, Ugandan Minister for Energy on the sidelines of the International Youth Festival.
The minister outlined plans to utilize various sources, including hydropower, geothermal, wind, and oil extraction, highlighting nuclear energy as the key solution to generate over 20,000 megawatts. He stated that the country has explored uranium reserves and is starting detailed development to select a site for a nuclear power plant.
Opolot also stated that Uganda signed a memorandum of understanding with the Russian state corporation Rosatom, a longstanding player in nuclear energy. Research for the project has already been carried out.
He also noted that other African nations, such as South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, and Kenya among others, are already exploring nuclear energy.