According to the Police department of Narcotics, the most smuggled Narcotics in Uganda is Heroine which is mainly brought from Kenya and Tanzania. “Most of the drugs that are used in Uganda are Carnabicirtiver, Cart, Heroine and to a small extent Cocaine.” Said, Ignatius Zarugaba – Acting Commissioner, Anti-Narcotics. The Police said the major transit points for Narcotics in Uganda are Entebbe International Airport, Landing sites on Lake Victoria, the Post Office, Courier Companies and Porous Border Points.

But one of the biggest challenges the Police faced in the crackdown on drug traffickers was that most criminals used more sophisticated means to smuggle the drugs into the country. This was compounded by the fact that Entebbe International Airport didn’t not have a specialized scanner to detect Narcotics. The Police relied on few sniffer dogs and the ingenuity of its personnel. “This scanner does not show, it shows metals with somebody like guns and whatever metals but it does not show that there is inner Narcotics.” Said, Grace Akulo – Director, Police CIID. The drug traffickers used sophisticated means to lope through the check points. “We have seen drugs conceded in condoms, we have seen drugs being conceded in crafts, in portraits of prominent personnel.” Said the Acting Commissioner, Anti-Narcotics.

But there was hope for the Police after the National Crime Agency of UK donated computers, cameras, and drug testing kits to the Police Crime and Intelligence Investigations Directorate. The kits will test different drugs as determined by color. “Well this is an indicative test that will help people to understand exactly what drug is immediately and they will not have to wait for Forensic Analysis of the drugs.” Said, David Ward – UK National Crime Agency. The Police were stuck with over 100 liters of acid traffickers used in the manufacture of Narcotics such as Heroine. These included Acetic acid, Mercury, Acetone, and Alcohol poppy. “To be neutralized, they cannot be poured in waters before they are destroyed. And we have approached different service providers and the cheapest has asked for us for 25 million to destroy these acids.” Said the Acting Commissioner, Anti-Narcotics.

It was alleged that last year the Police arrested a suspect carrying 100kg of Heroine but they only declared 70kg and with such elements within the force where the hunter also got hunted, it would become a very big challenge for the government to completely weed out the elements who involved themselves in drug trafficking. “If we find such, then we should be able to refer them to the Profession Standards Unit.” Said the Director, CIID