URA Intercepts Concealed Pistol at Entebbe Airport

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has intercepted a concealed pistol in a passenger’s baggage at Entebbe International Airport. The discovery was made on Sunday, November 3, 2024, when the scanner flagged suspicious items in the luggage of a passenger arriving from Nairobi on a Kenya Airways flight.

According to John Bosco Twesigye, URA Entebbe’s Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) In-Charge, the passenger's baggage was scanned at Customs around 20:07 hrs. Upon analysis, the scanner revealed an Air Pistol (Blow P29) along with 50 rounds of ammunition hidden in two bags. The passenger, however, lacked the necessary documentation to support possession of the firearm, leading URA to hand him over to aviation police for further questioning.

Twesigye noted that firearms, ammunition, and military stores are classified as restricted items, and any passenger importing such items must obtain prior clearance from Uganda Police.

Earlier in July, URA’s NII technology at Elegu had detected hidden ammunition on two individuals attempting to enter Uganda from South Sudan. These incidents highlight the crucial role of URA’s non-intrusive inspection technology, which utilises advanced X-ray scanners to examine large volumes of cargo without physical inspection, expediting processing while identifying concealed threats like firearms and illicit substances.

The NII technology is also equipped with Radiation Portal Monitors, fortifying Uganda’s defences against the infiltration of illicit radiation sources. These advancements in inspection technology not only enhance operational efficiency but also bolster national security by safeguarding borders against emerging threats.