Â
The Atomic Energy Council (AEC) under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is an independent government body established under the Atomic Energy Act Cap.154 with the mandate to regulate the peaceful applications of ionizing radiation in order to provide for the protection and safety of individual, society and the environment from dangers resulting from ionizing radiation. The use of ionizing radiation in Uganda is in the medical, industrial, security, agriculture, research and education among other fields. Despite the beneficial uses, sources of ionizing radiation must be managed in a safe and secure manner throughout their life time to prevent short- and long-term effects of ionizing radiation that may arise as a result of improper use or mishandling. In this regard, Section 31 (1) of the above Act, prohibits any person to acquire, own, possess, operate, import, export, hire, loan, receive, use, install, commission, decommission, transport, store, sell, distribute, dispose of, transfer, modify, upgrade, process, manufacture or undertake any practice related to the application of atomic energy and regulated by the Act unless permitted by an authorisation issued by AEC.
As of July 08, 2026, AEC had registered one thousand three hundred and forty three (1343) radiation sources in seven hundred twenty facilities. Out of the registered radiation sources, 746 (56%) had valid licenses in three hundred seventy nine (379) facilities. The details of authorisations are hereunder indicated.
