UN atomic energy agency secures radioactive source in Uganda

The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today said it had secured a radioactive source found last week in Uganda and had determined that there were no other similar insecure materials in the country.

Following a request from the Ugandan Government, the IAEA sent two radiation safety specialists to check the integrity of the shielded container, measure the level of radiation and verify the security of the location.

The IAEA team concluded that the radioactive source, which contained a significant amount of cobalt-60 and was impounded by the authorities after its discovery, did not pose any immediate threat to the public.