Uganda invites uranium investors, but precludes uranium export
President Yoweri Museveni has called on investors to undertake uranium mining in the country, as an alternative energy source. He said the NRM [National Resistance Movement] Government was committed to co-investing with the private sector to optimally utilise the available uranium resources. Museveni stressed that Government would not tolerate the idea of exporting the mineral, but would work to have it utilised fully to serve wananchi [people] with the energy generated from the mineral. (New Vision Feb. 1, 2009)
Uganda halts granting of uranium concessions
President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the ministry of energy to halt giving out concessions for the exploitation of the newly found uranium deposits in the country. He further directed the energy ministry to establish a nuclear unit in the ministry.
Uranium was first discovered in Uganda in 2004. A recent report by the ministry of energy estimates the uranium-rich areas to be 18,000 km2 in Buganda-Toro region, 12,000 km2 in Karagwe-Ankole area, 5,000 km2 between Lake Albert and Lake Kyoga, 5,000 km2 around Lake Edward, 900 km2 on the Buhwezu plateau and 12,000 km2 in Lake Albert. According to the energy ministry, only a minority of these sites have been given out as concessions so far to local and foreign companies. (The New Vision July 18, 2007)
New Uranium Mining Projects - Africa
My Take: Serikali ihakikishe.
1) Inakuwa na majority ya share katika hayo madini si chini ya asilimia 65
2) Serikali ihakikishe miongoni mwa makubaliano ni kutuachia tekinolojia ya uchimbaji na kuhandle hiyo uranium.
3)Serikali ihakikishe kiasi kinachochimbwa ndani ya miaka 20 ni asilimia 10 mpaka 15 tu ya reserve iliyoko ardhini, na kiasi kinachobaki kitunzwe kwa ajili ya vizazi vijavyo.
4)serikali itoe incentive na priority kwa kampuni zinazotaka kuwekeza humu humu chini kama vile kuzalisha umeme.
5)Serikali iwe na benki ya uranium ambayo ishasafishwa, na iko tayari kwa matumizi.
6)Kama Serikali haijajiandaa vya kutosha kuhusiana na suaka zima la Uranium yetu bora iiache ardhini, isichimbwe, tungoje tutakapokuwa na uwezo tutaichimba wenyewe.