Speaker
Description
UGANDA'S CAPABILITIES AND CHALLENGES ON PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF NUCLEAR AND RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL.
MR. OBOO MOSES
Radiation Protection Officer, Atomic Energy Council
Plot 29/33 Kampala Road, P.O.BOX 7044
Kampala, Uganda
Prevention and detection of radioactive sources plays a major role in helping to mitigate the incidences of malicious acts or sabotage of facilities with radioactive sources.
The Atomic Energy Council (AEC), the national regulatory body of Uganda has aided the implementation of the prevention and detection mechanisms in facilities having radioactive sources through regulatory inspections, installation of security detection systems at Uganda Cancer Institute -radiotherapy department and at the Temporary Waste Storage Facility owned by AEC, Training of personnel from Uganda Police-Counter Terrorism department, Customs officers and other security agencies in the country, development of two safety guides namely guide on security of high category radioactive sources, and the guide on physical protection systems and measures for facilities housing radioactive sources. These were developed to guide the authorized persons on what they are expected to put in place and also helped AEC to develop an inspection checklist on security requirements and recommendations.
The country currently has three radiation porter monitors installed at the major designated points of entry, there are joint security and intelligence operations at the border points, and there are communication mechanisms for responding to information and instrument alarms and generally there is government political will to support the program of having radiation detection systems at various agencies responsible for nuclear security.
Currently the country doesn't have radiation portal monitors at all the major border points to the country, the regulatory body lacks equipment to carry out food and water testing on the level of radionuclide contained in them, there are no installed detection systems at the metal recycling industries. There is limited detection at annual Major Public Events in the country e.g. the Uganda Martyrs day Celebrations, National prayer day among others.
This paper will discuss broadly on the current capabilities and the challenges faced by the regulatory body and other agencies in ensuring effective implementation on having prevention and detection systems at various strategic locations in the country and also suggest the key recommendations to government and various stakeholders especially Uganda Revenue Authority-Customs department and Uganda Police Force on how to improve on the prevention and detection systems already in place.
Addressing the above mentioned challenges will improve on the prevention and detection systems for radioactive sources in Uganda. It should also be noted that the Ugandan government, the IAEA and the various stakeholders will have a role to play in ensuring that this will come to effect
| State | Uganda |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
