UXO Director Highlights Importance of Urban Explosive Ordnance Safety

The Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS), through its Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Programme, has highlighted the need for stronger coordination and preparedness to manage explosive ordnance risks in urban areas, particularly during disaster response and reconstruction.

UXO Director, Mr. Benzily Kasutaba, made the remarks during discussions on Urban Explosive Ordnance Management, Disaster Response and Reconstruction, held from 29 September to 1 October 2026 at the IFRC Conference Facilities.

Mr. Kasutaba said urban environments present unique challenges because of their dense populations, critical infrastructure and rapidly changing conditions. The presence of explosive ordnance can disrupt humanitarian access, restrict movement, delay reconstruction and place communities, emergency responders and public authorities at risk.

He stressed that urban survey and clearance must be risk-based, evidence-informed and closely linked to humanitarian access, essential services and reconstruction priorities.

Unlike rural areas, explosive hazards in urban settings may be located inside buildings, beneath roads, within damaged infrastructure, drainage systems or construction debris. Mr. Kasutaba said effective management therefore requires systematic information gathering, accurate mapping and reporting, appropriate technical standards, and trained and authorised personnel.

He also emphasised that clearance priorities should consider how communities use particular locations. Schools, hospitals, markets, transport routes, water systems, shelters and emergency access routes may require urgent attention because of their importance to public safety and recovery.

Mr. Kasutaba highlighted Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP) as important tools for reducing risks to communities.

He said public awareness must provide practical information to help people respond safely when they encounter suspicious objects, particularly during house clearing, construction, movement through damaged areas, or other daily activities.

“The central message must remain clear: Do not touch, move, collect or investigate a suspicious item. Move away, warn others and report it to the appropriate authority,” he said.

He said awareness activities should be inclusive, location-specific and delivered through appropriate channels, including schools, churches, community leaders, radio, social media, public meetings and direct community engagement.

The UXO Director also called for explosive hazard considerations to be incorporated into disaster response and reconstruction, noting that cyclones, floods, earthquakes, landslides and fires can expose or move explosive ordnance.

He said emergency responders, contractors, volunteers and communities need to understand how to recognise and report suspicious items and avoid unsafe areas.

Before debris is removed or infrastructure rehabilitated, authorities should consider whether an explosive hazard assessment is required. He stressed that mine action and explosive hazard management should be treated as enabling activities that support safe humanitarian access, recovery and reconstruction.

Mr. Kasutaba further called for stronger coordination among national and provincial authorities, police, emergency services, engineers, humanitarian and development partners, traditional leaders and communities.

He said clear coordination mechanisms are needed to ensure reports are verified, hazardous areas are secured, technical assessments are undertaken, information is shared, and communities are properly informed. Mr. Kasutaba cautioned that rubble and debris following disasters may contain unexploded ordnance, ammunition components or other dangerous items.

He stressed that heavy machinery must not be used as a substitute for technical assessment and that workers must not pick up, move, cut, burn or transport suspected explosive items.

“The site should be stopped and secured when a suspicious item is found,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Kasutaba reaffirmed the commitment of the MPNSCS, through its UXO Programme and in partnership with government agencies, communities and development partners, to strengthening awareness, improving coordination and supporting safer communities.

“Our objective is clear: to reduce risk, protect lives, enable humanitarian access and support safe recovery and reconstruction,” he said.

All participants at the Innovation Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

All participants at the Innovation Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

-MPNSCS Press