Kigali, November 5, 2024 – The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) recently concluded a two-week mission in collaboration with the International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS), a program of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Held from October 28 to early November, the mission assessed Rwanda’s nuclear physical protection regime and provided recommendations for enhancing its effectiveness. This initiative builds on findings from Rwanda’s 2023 review of its National Integrated Nuclear Security Support Plan (INSSP), during which RURA was advised to invite IPPAS experts for a peer review to strengthen the country’s nuclear security strategies.

Speaking on the behalf of the Director General of RURA, Charles Gahungu, Head of RURA’s ICT Regulation Department, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, describing it as “an opportunity to assess our current security measures and learn directly from international experts.” He expressed gratitude to the IAEA team, noting that the mission would help Rwanda refine its strategies and align with global standards.

Led by Simon Vleugels, the IAEA-IPPAS team stressed that the mission was centered on collaboration rather than inspection. “This mission is about collaboration, not inspection,” Vleugels said. “Our goal is to benchmark Rwanda’s procedures against international frameworks, facilitating the exchange of best practices to enhance Rwanda’s nuclear security framework.”

Established by the IAEA in 1995, IPPAS assists countries in securing nuclear materials and facilities by providing peer guidance to align with international security protocols. The delegation included representatives from Uganda, Senegal, Ghana, and other African nations. During the mission, participants visited key sites, including the Kigali Cancer Center and the Gisagara Power Plant, to observe Rwanda's nuclear security practices.