ELEGU, Uganda – Ugandan security personnel intercepted a South Sudanese traveler with a loaded pistol at the Elegu One Stop Border Post on Monday. The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) reported that the pistol, loaded with five rounds of ammunition, was hidden in the passenger’s hand luggage. This interception occurred two weeks after another South Sudanese passenger was caught smuggling a pistol into Uganda, July 23, 2024.
The URA stated on their X handle that the pistol was discovered using baggage scanners equipped with Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology, which uses advanced X-ray scanners to inspect large volumes of cargo without physically opening them. These scanners transmit images to the Central Command and Monitoring Center in Kampala in real-time, expediting cargo processing and detecting concealed threats such as firearms and illicit substances.
“The use of scanners enables URA to maintain control and facilitate the growing trade volumes,” the URA explained. “In the last financial year, interventions facilitated by NII equipment led to the recovery of over UGX 218 billion, demonstrating the effectiveness of NII technology in securing revenue, ensuring safety, and enhancing national security.”
The case has been forwarded to the Uganda People’s Defence Force’s (UPDF) Defense Intelligence and Security for further management.