Security personnel in Uganda on Monday intercepted luggage which contained a loaded pistol belonging to a South Sudanese national who was entering Uganda through the Elegu One Stop Border Post (OSBP).

According to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), the pistol loaded with five rounds of ammunition was concealed in the passenger’s hand luggage. Two weeks ago, a female passenger from South Sudan was also intercepted trying to smuggle a pistol into Uganda.

“This (pistol) was unearthed by URA’s baggage scanners deployed at the border post,” the tax body said on their X handle.

The scanners are fitted with Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology which uses advanced X-ray scanners to inspect large volumes of cargo without the need to physically open them. They transmit images from the various borders to the Central Command and Monitoring Center in Kampala in real-time.

This expedites cargo processing while swiftly pinpointing concealed threats like firearms, illicit substances, and concealed dutiable goods. 

“The use of scanners enables URA to maintain control and facilitate the growing trade volumes. The interception comes two weeks after a female passenger from South Sudan was intercepted while trying to enter Uganda with a concealed pistol at the same border point,” URA revealed in a post on their official handle on X.

“In the last financial year, interventions facilitated by NII equipment led to the recovery of over UGX 218 billion, further demonstrating the effectiveness of NII technology in securing revenue, ensuring safety, and enhancing national security,” URA said in a post on X. 

The case has been forwarded to the UPDF’s Defense Intelligence and Security for further management.