  Comprehensive calculations of cross sections of photon induced reactions on
$^{233-238}$U targets for incident photon energies from 3 up to 30 MeV are
undertaken with the statistical model code EMPIRE-3.2 Malta. Results are
compared with the experimental data from EXFOR and with the current
evaluations. The differences and the similarities between the models and
parameters used in calculations of photon- and neutron-induced reactions on the
same nuclei are discussed with focus on fission. The role of the extended
optical model for fission in improving the description of the measured data and
in determining consistent sets of barrier parameters is pointed out.
