Cablegate: Report of Nuclear Smuggling Incident in Kampala

VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKM #1250 3001455
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 271455Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1905

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

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