By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Atomic Energy Council of Uganda has clarified that base stations such as telecommunication, and mobile phones masts do not cause adverse health risks.
Noah Deogratias Kuwulira, the council Secretary and CEO who spoke during a media sensitization workshop on atomic energy applications in Uganda at Four Points Hotel by Sheraton organised by AEC, said several studies have been conducted to ascertain whether telecommunication masts pose health risks.
“We have not found any mast with scaring high radiation levels to that effect. We have the phobia but they are scientifically not proved. If we found anything so high, we would have acted,” he said
Luwalira explained that the researches did not provide any evidence that the telecommunication infrastructures are harmful to humans.
He further appealed to the media to report accurately and objectively about atomic energy and its applications in Uganda because this will enable the government to ensure proper regulation and improve on nuclear energy.
“Effective balanced media reporting is key when we are talking about nuclear energy and helps us as a regulator to enhance their compliance. If information is accurate and authentic, we shall have acceptability of the nuclear energy,” Luwalira urged.
According to Luwalira, once media fail to tell dangers of Atomic Energy the public will continue using it badly in their daily work which can easily affect the social and economic status of the country.
He says educating the public about regulations of peaceful application of atomic energy will enable protection of the people and environment from harmful effects of radiation.
Lynn Ninsiima, the senior relation protection officer at AEC disclosed that Kampala has high risks of Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) levels with a maximum reading of the regulatory limits at 6.04 percent .Other districts include Moyo, Adjumani and Mpigi, all with readings below 1 percent. She said Uganda’s maxim regulatory reading is at 8.7 percent.
A March 2022 market performance report by the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) revealed that there were 7,478 base stations and 4,810 tower sites, 54 TV stations and 309 radio stations.
