The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has successfully concluded a landmark International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission in Rwanda, marking the first time the IPPAS program has supported Rwanda’s efforts to enhance its nuclear security framework. Held at the request of the Government of Rwanda from October 28 to November 8, 2024, the mission was hosted by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) and led by a team of international experts who assessed the nation’s nuclear security regime.
The mission reviewed Rwanda’s measures for safeguarding radioactive material and security protocols at facilities across the country. As part of the assessment, the IPPAS team visited the Gisagara Thermal Power Station in Rwanda’s Southern Province, which relies on radioactive sources to monitor peat fuel levels, as well as the Rwanda Cancer Center at Kanombe Military Hospital in Kigali, where a new brachytherapy unit is under development.
Rwanda’s commitment to nuclear security was formalized in 2021 when it accepted the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), broadening the country’s nuclear security obligations. This Amendment extends CPPNM requirements to encompass domestic facilities, ensuring that nuclear material used for peaceful purposes is safeguarded across sectors.
Led by Simon Vleugels from the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection in the Netherlands, the six-member IPPAS team included experts from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda, along with an IAEA staff member. In Kigali, the team engaged with officials from the Ministry of Emergency Management, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Rwanda Atomic Energy Board, Rwanda Defence Force, Rwanda Environmental Management Authority, and other relevant agencies. These discussions explored Rwanda’s current policies and practices, with a focus on strengthening interagency coordination and reinforcing Rwanda’s nuclear security architecture.
The team commended Rwanda for its proactive approach in developing a comprehensive nuclear security regime. “The findings of the IPPAS mission in Rwanda will further contribute to the establishment of a robust nuclear security regime in the country,” said Elena Buglova, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Security. The IPPAS team’s recommendations aim to help Rwanda fortify its nuclear security practices, laying the groundwork for safe expansion in the use of nuclear technologies in sectors like healthcare and energy.
Rwanda’s Director General of RURA, Evariste Rugigana, underscored the significance of the IPPAS mission, especially as Rwanda works towards deploying small modular reactors (SMRs) in collaboration with the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board. “Our collaboration with the IAEA through IPPAS will help us adopt best practices and enhance our readiness to respond to any security challenges,” he said. Rugigana emphasized the importance of a strong regulatory framework to protect the population and environment as Rwanda explores nuclear technologies.
The mission identified several good practices in Rwanda that could serve as valuable examples for other IAEA Member States, promoting improvements in global nuclear security. As a result, Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening nuclear security continues to resonate on an international scale, showcasing the value of the IPPAS program, which has now conducted 106 missions since its inception in 1995.
IPPAS missions, such as the one completed in Rwanda, provide vital peer reviews and advice to countries on nuclear security best practices, ensuring that physical protection systems align with IAEA guidance and international standards. With Rwanda’s strong commitment and the IAEA’s support, the country is poised to build a robust nuclear security infrastructure that safeguards against potential threats while enabling the safe and peaceful application of nuclear technology.
