Woman Intercepted with Pistol Concealed in Baggage at Uganda-South Sudan Border

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has intercepted a pistol concealed in baggage at the Elegu One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) on the Uganda-South Sudan border.

URA Supervisor for NII Field Operations, David Mugarra, reported that the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) team discovered the hidden firearm in the luggage of 46-year-old Heba Youssef Taleldin Mamoud.

“On 8th July 2024, an event at the Elegu Border between Uganda and South Sudan captivated authorities as Heba was caught entering Uganda with a concealed pistol,” Mugarra explained.

URA Supervisor for NII CCTV Surveillance, SP Moses Sonko, stated that URA officials instructed Heba to place her baggage into the CT X-ray scanner. The detailed 3D X-ray image revealed the concealed weapon entwined in her belongings.

Heba was subsequently arrested and handed over to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) for further investigation.

Recently, NII at Elegu exposed hidden ammunition on another individual attempting to cross into Uganda from South Sudan. These incidents underscore the vital role of URA’s Non-Intrusive Inspection technology, which employs advanced X-ray scanners to scrutinize large volumes of cargo without physical inspection.

By leveraging these scanners, URA can 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 Shs218 billion through the detection of concealed, undeclared, and falsely declared dutiable goods.

Equipped with Radiation Portal Monitors, the NII equipment plays a crucial role in fortifying Uganda’s defence against illicit radiation sources attempting to infiltrate the national borders. These developments highlight how advanced technology not only enhances operational efficiency but also safeguards national interests and secures borders against emerging threats.