Uganda - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Nuclear policy and outlook
The Energy Policy for Uganda 2023 sets a long-term generation capacity of 52,481 MWe by 2040, of which 24,000 MWe would come from nuclear power.
The policy’s nuclear roadmap comprises four plants totalling about 24,400 MWe: Buyende (six reactors of 1400 MWe), Nakasongola (6x1200 MWe), Kiruhura (4x1200 MWe) and Lamwo (4x1000 MWe). Buyende would be first, and is a flagship project of the fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
In August 2023 President Museveni announced that Russia and South Korea had been selected to build two nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of 15 GWe.
In May 2025 the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development signed a contract with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) for a 26-month evaluation, to July 2027, of the proposed Buyende site. About 30 square kilometres of land is being acquired at Kasaato Hill in Kidera, Buyende district on the shores of Lake Kyoga and a resettlement action plan is being prepared.
Draft amendments to the Atomic Energy Act of 2008 would strengthen provisions on nuclear safety, security, liability and emergency preparedness. A research reactor is planned at Soroti.
Table Ug.1 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - | 24,400 | 24,400 | 24,400 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
The Energy Policy for Uganda 2023 provides a defined 24 GWe nuclear roadmap across four plants, but only Buyende has progressed, and its site evaluation runs to July 2027. A reactor design, vendor, financing and a strengthened nuclear law are still needed, and the stated dates for the first plant are well ahead of delivery capability.
| Country Category | Candidate |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Low-Moderate Nuclear is embedded in Energy Policy for Uganda 2023 and NDP IV, which set a 24 GWe objective across four named plants. Only the Buyende project has a defined site, and the scale and timetable are well beyond demonstrated delivery capability. |
| Institutional & Infrastructure Readiness | Low The government of Uganda, in conjunction with the IAEA, has drafted a new Atomic Energy Bill to replace the Atomic Energy Act of 2008 to support the planned nuclear programme. Commercial reactor regulation is under development but no owner/operator has been established. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | Low Only Buyende has progressed: land is being acquired and KHNP is evaluating the site to July 2027. Nevertheless, the project does not yet have a licensed site, chosen reactor design, vendor award or financing plan. |
| Target Achievability | Very Low None of the near-term targets are compatible with a site evaluation running to mid-2027 and no design, vendor, or financing is in place. The 24 GWe objective for 2040 across four plants is more demanding still. |