Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has acquired 27 more baggage and cargo scanners to further strengthen inspection of imports, exports and also address security controls at the border points in the country. The new arrivals come in to supplement the already existing scanners stationed at Malaba, Busia, Mirama Hills, Elegu, Entebbe and Mutukula One-Stop Border Posts.
X-ray non-intrusive scanner technology has been adopted worldwide in customs trade to replace manual inspection which is prone to human error and significantly slow.
For the first time, Entebbe International Airport will have a cargo scanner to inspect consignments without the need for a customs officer to manually check the batch samples. The scanners will with the aid of high-end technology help our NII Command Centre staff detect any suspicious material tucked away carefully in the tyres, walls or secret compartments of vehicles.
According to the URA Commissioner General – John R. Musinguzi, the equipment cost UGX 103 billion manufactured by Nuctech Company Limited, a Chinese market leader in cutting edge technology. While receiving the scanners, Musinguzi reaffirmed the need for the Authority’s staff to equip themselves with the skills and also exercise very high levels of integrity to make the most of the equipment.
“Technology is only as good as the human resources behind it. Our staff manning this equipment should be alert, inquisitive and honest while operating these scanners. The government has invested heavily; we have no excuse not to deliver,” noted Musingizi.
Acquisition of the Scanners is in quick response to a call made by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during the URA at 30 Thanksgiving ceremony held earlier this month where The President highlighted the absence of scanning equipment at border stations as a major hindrance to URA’s effectiveness in curbing illicit trade.
According to the URA Commissioner Customs – Abel Kagumire, this set of 27 scanners which have arrived are the first batch with another batch of 12 expected shortly.
By the time all the expected scanners will be in the country and operational, Uganda’s key border posts will have NII technology in place.
Inefficient inspection of cargo does not only cause revenue loss but also creates security threats to the country.
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