Uganda is actively advancing its long-term nuclear power ambitions to diversify its energy generation mix beyond hydroelectricity, targeting a total capacity of up to 24,000 MW under its broader “Vision 2040” framework. The primary site designated for the country’s first facility is located in Kasaato Village, Buyende District, situated roughly 150 kilometers north of Kampala. In May 2025, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) reached a major milestone by signing a contract with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) to launch a detailed, 26-month site evaluation project. Under this deal, KHNP and its partners are assessing environmental, geological, and safety risks strictly adhering to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards to determine the feasibility of installing up to six pressurized water reactors.
Alongside site evaluation efforts, the Ugandan government is concurrently working to secure nuclear fuel supplies and build internal institutional capacity. Exploration for domestic uranium deposits is ongoing to ensure a sustainable fuel pipeline, complemented by plans to establish a dedicated Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology to oversee research, education, and medical isotope production. However, the ambitious timeline, aiming for the first 1,000 MW reactor to be connected to the grid around 2031, faces legislative and financial hurdles. Parliamentary debate surrounding land acquisition costs in Buyende and Nakasongola, budget deficits for initial construction preparations, and concerns over high capital investments remain central challenges as lawmakers balance immediate budget allocations with the project’s long-term viability.
Similar Projects in East Africa
Much like Uganda, neighboring Kenya is actively pursuing nuclear energy to diversify its baseload power, driven by the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) and aligned with the national Kenya Vision 2030 development mandate. While Uganda focuses its initial development inland near the Nile basin, Kenya aims to expand its capacity from around 3,300 MW to over 10,000 MW, targeting a 2,000 MW to 3,000 MW nuclear contribution by the mid-2030s.
Kenya’s project roadmap focuses on sites in Siaya County along Lake Victoria as well as coastal options in Kilifi County, with construction planned to begin in 2027 and commercial operation expected around 2034. Similar to Uganda’s land and local community debates in Buyende, Kenya faces intense public scrutiny and environmental pushback over site selection, prompting NuPEA and the IAEA to step up grassroots engagement and regulatory reviews to address concerns over local livelihoods, safety, and ecosystem preservation.
December 2, 2025
The Uganda Nuclear Plant Project represents a national approach to developing energy resources in that country. As already announced, the country recently embarked on putting in place plans for its maiden nuclear power plant after the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development declared that it was working closely with the IAEA to develop nuclear energy due to the increasing national demand for power. The Ugandan government is currently prospecting and assessing uranium resources, with support from the IAEA, to ensure the long-term sustainable and reliable supply of nuclear fuel for future power plants and research reactors, according to Irene Batebe, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
Other than Uganda’s nuclear power plant, East African countries such as Kenya are also advancing their nuclear ambitions. Kenya has selected state-owned KenGen as the owner-operator of the country’s first nuclear power plant. Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi noted that the planned plant will be developed by Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA). Furthermore, it is expected to begin with 2 GW with capacity expected to scale to 6 GW in later phases. “This marks the beginning of Kenya’s nuclear-power era,” Wandayi said. “Assigning KenGen the owner-operator role anchors the programme in technical capability and public trust.”
Capacity of the Uganda Nuclear Plant Project
The expected capacity of the nuclear power in this nuclear plant is foreseen to require approximately 4,000 tons of Uranium in a year when it becomes fully operational. This leads to the inevitable need of sustainable sources of Uranium so as to keep the nuclear power plant up and running.
“Uranium is the most widely used mineral as nuclear fuel in nuclear power plants and even in the research reactors. This mineral is required for the nuclear power program of the country,” she mentioned during the opening of the nine-day meeting that was held with the experts from the IAEA.
Current State of Affairs Regarding the Project
Additionally, Irene Batebe revealed that the Ugandan government is currently amending the Atomic Energy Act 2008 which seeks to strengthen and promote the legal framework for the exploration works, mining activities, and also the processing of the nuclear fuel resources. In another scenario, the permanent secretary pointed out the existing source of generating electricity in the country and also measured its total capacity of delivering the long-term energy production targets of Uganda. She stated that the electricity generation potential from the sources of hydropower, biomass, geothermal, and also peat, if developed fully, will not be able to meet the Uganda Vision 2040 targets.
In the previous year, the government of Uganda set up a cabinet that got to adopt the Energy policy for Uganda, 2023 which envisages developing a total of 52, 481MW generation capacity in the long run in order to meet the future energy demands of the country, out of which a total of 24,000MW will be generated from nuclear energy.
Timelines to note Regarding the Project
The government of Uganda has commenced reviewing the country’s Uranium potential ahead of the plan of developing nuclear energy by the year 2031. The review that is being conducted by the Integrated Uranium Production Cycle Review Mission, is set to evaluate the preparedness of Uganda for nuclear energy production in terms of the laws, capacity, reserves, safety, and even the protection of the environment just to mention a few.
According to Mr. Emmanuel Wamala, who is the Ministry of Energy acting commissioner for nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, stated that the country was currently at the exploration stage of the cycle of production, which will eventually lead to a uranium deposit.
Project Factsheet
Project Name: Buyende Nuclear Power Plant Project
Location: Kasaato Village, Buyende District, Uganda (150 km north of Kampala)
Project Lead: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Uganda
Primary Partner: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP)
Target Capacity: Initial: 1,000 MW (Phase 1) / Total: Up to 8,400 MW (6 × 1,400 MW units)
Reactor Technology: Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs)
Project Timeline: Site feasibility completion: 2027 First power grid connection target: 2031
Key Objectives: Diversify energy mix, supply industrial grid demand, support Vision 2040 framework
Regulatory Framework: IAEA International Standards Compliance
Project Team
Lead Project Consortium & Contractors
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP): The main lead contractor managing the site evaluation project and overall nuclear development support.
KEPCO Engineering & Construction (KEPCO E&C): Participating as a key engineering and design partner within the Korean consortium.
Dohwa Engineering: Providing engineering consultancy and site evaluation services alongside KHNP.
Local Content Participation
Ugandan Subcontractors: Under the current contract terms, at least 30% of the site assessment and development work is designated to be subcontracted to local Ugandan firms and local engineering suppliers.
Government Agencies & Strategic Partners
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Uganda: The primary governmental client and project developer.
Rosatom (Russia): Has signed preliminary intergovernmental agreements and MOUs with Uganda for potential future multi-unit nuclear power development.
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC): Previously signed cooperative MOUs regarding nuclear infrastructure support and human resource development in Uganda.
Also read: 1000 Megawatts Kenya Nuclear Power Plant Construction to Commence in 2027
Uganda Nuclear Power Stations to be Built by Russia and Korea
