REPORT OF NUCLEAR SMUGGLING INCIDENT IN KAMPALA

UNCLAS KAMPALA 001250 SIPDIS FOR STATE ISN/WMDT AND PM/ISO/PMAT (24/7) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC KCRM KNNP MNUC PARM PINR PREL PTER UG SUBJECT: REPORT OF NUCLEAR SMUGGLING INCIDENT IN KAMPALA REF: 2007 STATE 162091 ¶1. (SBU) Post wishes to alert the Department and Washington agencies per reftel A that RSO Kampala has interviewed two walk in SUBJECTS with information regarding uranium. After interviewing the SUBJECTS, Post does not believe there is any validity to their claim. ¶2. (SBU) The responses below are keyed to reftel A ¶3. (SBU) Details of the incident follow: ¶A. Location: Current location is claimed to be in a hotel in the Nambasumba neighborhood of Kampala, Uganda. The name of the hotel and more specific location is unknown. ¶B. Transport status: The material is stationary in a hotel room. It is housed in a metallic type container. ¶C. Unknown ¶D. Means of transport. Material arrived from The Democratic Republic of Congo via unknown means. ¶E. Intended destination: None. Material is intended for sale. ¶F. Unknown ¶G. Origination point of material: The Democratic Republic of Congo, NFI. ¶H. Type of material: Uranium. Clear or pale liquid. Approximately 2 kilograms housed in a metallic container. ¶I. Date/Time: 10/27/2009; 1000hrs ¶J. Source: Two walk in SUBJECTS ¶K. N/A ¶L. Red mercury was also claimed to be at the location. Quantity is unknown ¶M. Source of information appeared at U.S. Embassy Kampala. ¶N. Additional details: ¶1. Name and contact info: Philemon LUZIBIZA, cell: 256-0757-118-153. Amos NGARE, cell: 254-721-60000-88. ¶2. Motivation for reporting is to keep Uganda safe. They did not request any compensation. ¶3. Container is metallic in appearance; similar to a large thermos. ¶4. The material is claimed to be clear or pale liquid. ¶5. The walk in is not in possession of material but can guide authorities to its location. ¶6. The walk in was at the same hotel as the person who is reported to be in possession of the material. ¶7. Unknown ¶8. Walk in does not have direct access to material. ¶9. 10 million U.S. dollars. ¶10. Walk in claims that the material was dripped on a piece of glass and the glass shattered. Walk in claims that this proves it is uranium ¶11. Unknown ¶12. Walk in has not approached local authorities over fears of corruption/arrest. ¶4. (SBU) Action Officer at post for handling this case is ARSO Ben Eisele, reachable via Post One at 256-414-30-6207 and email at eiselebp@state.gov LANIER