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The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has successfully intercepted a concealed pistol at the Elegu One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) on the Uganda-South Sudan border. The discovery underscores the critical role of advanced technology in safeguarding national security and expediting cargo processing.
URA Supervisor NII Field Operations, David Mugarra, reported that the concealed pistol was found in the baggage of Heba Youssef Taleldin Mamoud, a 46-year-old traveler. “On the 8th of July 2024, an event at the Elegu Border between Uganda and South Sudan captivated authorities as Heba was caught while entering Uganda with a concealed pistol,” Mugarra explained.
The concealment was detected by URA Supervisor NII CCTV Surveillance SP Moses Sonko. URA officials instructed Heba to place her baggage into the CT X-ray scanner, which revealed a detailed 3D X-ray image exposing the hidden weapon entwined in her belongings. Heba was subsequently arrested and handed over to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) for further investigations.
This incident is not isolated. Recently, the NII at Elegu also exposed hidden ammunition on another individual attempting to cross into Uganda from South Sudan. These cases highlight the pivotal role of URA’s Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology, which employs advanced X-ray scanners to scrutinize large volumes of cargo without the need for physical inspection.
The implementation of these scanners enables the URA to expedite cargo processing while swiftly identifying concealed threats such as firearms and illicit substances. In the fiscal year 2023/24, interventions facilitated by NII equipment led to the recovery of more than UGX 218 billion through the detection of concealed, undeclared, and falsely declared dutiable goods.
Additionally, the NII equipment is equipped with Radiation Portal Monitors, which play a crucial role in fortifying Uganda’s defense against illicit radiation sources attempting to infiltrate the national borders.
These developments illustrate how advanced technology enhances operational efficiency and plays a pivotal role in safeguarding national interests and securing borders against emerging threats.
