A Plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies on Monday, June 15, 2020, voted the law approving the ratification of the agreement between Rwanda and Russia, on cooperation in the construction of the Centre of Nuclear Science and Technology on the territory of Rwanda.

The Government of Rwanda started the process of developing nuclear energy applications for peaceful purposes, and establishing this Centre in Rwanda is essential in order to access a wide range of nuclear applications in this regard, according to Minister of Infrastructure, Claver Gatete.

He told lawmakers that Rwanda chose six areas where such applications can be made including nuclear medicine, research reactor laboratory complex, and multipurpose radiation especially in agriculture, education, radiobiology, and material science.

Gatete said that the establishment of the centre is meant to provide Rwanda with required skills in the nuclear science and technology so that it becomes competitive at the international stage.

Skills development

Minister Gatete observed that there are already 50 Rwandans who are pursuing masters and first degrees in nuclear science and technology in Russia, adding that Rwanda plans to have more students in that filed.