Security personnel trained in radioactive waste management

The Atomic Energy Council (AEC) has carried out training in handling and transporting of radioactive waste in the country.

The training mainly targets the Police, prisons, army (UPDF) and people in the transport sector.

The one week training that started on Monday in Kampala was facilitated by security experts from the USA. 

Atomic Executive Council (AEC), executive secretary, Deogratious Luwalira said the training is part of building capacity for people who are in the transport sector, security agencies and traffic officers.

"It's part of capacity building especially for people who will directly or directly be dealing with transportation of radioactive waste. Some of these people need to be aware or have knowledge on issues to do with radioactive waste transportation," he said.

Luwalira said that more training will be carried out especially among the public to ensure that they get the knowledge about radioactive waste.

Uganda Atomic Energy Council (AEC) was formed by an act of parliament with a mandate to conduct inspections to assess radiation safety and security conditions. 

Luwalira, said that government acquired 11.5 acres of land in 2011 in Kitoba village, Nama sub-county to implement a five year master plan.

The master plan includes, building AEC headquarters, staff accommodation, laboratories, atomic/nuclear storage facility, and sports field. He said the environment impact assessment and geotechnical study for the site is on-going.

"We have met council leaders and residents of the area (intended site), and assured them that the Atomic energy- waste store will have no effects on human beings because it's handled properly and professionally," Luwalira said.

He said that radioactive waste is scatted in different parts and there was need to put them in one central location.

AEC is working with government agencies such as the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema), the Ministry of Health, Uganda police force and the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure that the project is handled properly.