Uganda Destruction
After the successful public destruction of 3000 firearms on 26 September 2005, the Uganda government committed themselves to the requirements of the Nairobi Protocol and other international instruments and made available all obsolete, surplus and unserviceable firearms and ammunition.
Since independence Uganda went through seven violent changes of government where once licit arms became illicit during these changes. Armies fled with their weapons and became part of rebel groups. Armouries were robbed during these times and these firearms ended in the hands of criminals. A large part of the weapons recorded for destruction, include firearms seized from rebel groups and criminals.
From 30 January 2006 to 16 February 2006, Mr. Sarel Buijs from SaferAfrica, together with a team from the UPDF, recorded a total of ±58000 firearms and 400 tons of ammunition countrywide. The findings of this initial reconnaissance were presented to the Chief of Defence Forces of Uganda and he gave permission for the destruction to go ahead on 04 May 2006.
It was decided that all the firearms be destroyed by smelting and the ammunition would de destroyed by demolition.
The smelting process started on 18 May 2006 at the Steel Rolling Mills smelter based in Jinja. The firearms were transported by the UPDF to the smelter where the following process took place:
- All firearms were off loaded and once again checked that they were safe.
- The serial numbers and markings of each firearm were recorded.
- The wood and plastic on the firearms were then removed before they were weighed and then moved to the furnace for smelting.
- This process was done under the constant supervision of the UPDF.
The process was finished on 05 June 2006.
A total of 202,06 tons of SALW were smelted. Read more …
In early 2007, a team from SaferAfrica, the UPDF and Uganda Police will destroy the 400 tons of ammunition at Nakasongola. SaferAfrica will also partially finance this operation with the UNDP.
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