By Sadiq Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The Executive secretary of Comprehensive Nuclear Testing Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), has visited the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in the department of National Data Center to discuss the state of nuclear testing facilities in the country.
H.E. Dr. Robert Floyd who left the country immediately after attending the just concluded Non-aligned Movement paid the courtesy visit on Sunday, 21st January, 2024.
His Excellence Dr. Floyd said he found it necessary to spare some little time to interact with Ministry of Energy officials on the state of nuclear facilities in Uganda, which are stationed in the districts of Mbarara, Buhweju and Fort portal.
Dr. Floyd believes that having nuclear stations or facilities is part of the global network that keeps every country so alert.
Dr. Robert Floyd also asked the Ministry of Energy officials to keep the nuclear testing facilities more secure so as to benefit member states, in addition to implementing the Comprehensive Nuclear Testing Ban Treaty effectively.
The State Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Lokeris, said as government, they value the importance of the treaty on nuclear testing saying the treaty has been implemented in schools, hospitals and in testing crops.
The Acting Commissioner for Geological surveys and mines in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Fred Tugume, said despite Uganda being a member to the treaty, its implementation in Uganda is bottlenecked by limited participation of Ugandan ministry officials in decision making at higher levels.
The Principal Geo-physicist at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Isaiah Tumwikirize, said for the comprehensive treaty on nuclear to be effectively implemented there is need to build capacities of technical personnel in areas of nuclear science and technology.
The lead analyst in comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty organization, Gadi Turyomurugyendo, said the installation of nuclear facilities in Uganda has been helpful in collection of data that is used when constructing buildings and bridges.
