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UNODC signs an MOU with the government of Uganda to launch the Container Control Programme.

Kampala, Uganda - 3 December 2015

It is estimated that over 730 million container movements, accounting for some 90 per cent of the world's cargo, will take place globally this year. The large volume of containers, and the speed of handling them, is a challenge to the law enforcement agencies trying to identify illicit shipments in this supply chain. In principle, most of the containers are virtually un-inspected, allowing consignments of drugs, weapons and other illegal goods to enter countries undetected. In 2004, the UNODC-World Customs Organization (WCO) Container Control Programme was established to assist in countering these threats.

The "Container Control Programme" (CCP), is a joint initiative between the UNODC and World Customs Organization (WCO), developed for the purpose of assisting governments in establishing sustainable enforcement structures in selected seaports and dry ports. These enforcement structures will minimize the risk of maritime containers being exploited for trafficking of various illicit goods, such as drugs, wildlife, precursor chemicals (for drugs and weapons), firearms, weapons of mass destruction, nuclear material, and other forms of organized crime activity.

Over the past year, UNODC and the Government of Uganda have been working on launching this initiative in the country, in order to support Ugandan efforts to tackle illicit trafficking issues.

At the heart of the CCP is the establishment of multi-agency Joint Port Control Unit (JPCU), to tackle shipments of illegal goods. In Uganda, the specialized unit will be pooling the strengths of Uganda Revenue Authority, the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

This week, through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Uganda Revenue Authority, represented by Commissioner General Doris Akol, the Uganda Police Force represented by Inspector General Kale Kayihura, the Uganda Wildlife Authority represented by Executive Director, Dr. Andrew G. Seguya and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, represented by its Regional Representative, Jose Vila Del Castillo; Uganda becomes the latest country to formally join the CCP.

Speaking at the agreement signing in Kampala last week, URA Commissioner General Doris Akol said, together with Uganda Police Force and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the programme seeks to eliminate shipping containers exploited by criminals to transport wildlife commodities and illegal drugs. "This collaboration between security and enforcement agencies will help build capacity in fighting organized crime which is done through sophisticated networks".

At the same event, the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority, Mr. Andrew Seguya said the project will also counter crime such as illicit trafficking in wildlife and wildlife products as well as poaching; noting that the partnership with CCP needs to be complemented with support and capacity building addressing the areas of investigation, intelligence and prosecutions.

UNODC-WCO and the Government of Tanzania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 18, 2016, formally entering Tanzania into the CCP. Talks are currently underway with the Government of Kenya to join the programme this year. These efforts will strengthen capacity to detect illegal shipments coming through the ports of East Africa.

Further information:

Container Control Programme (CCP) extends its global reach

UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme