The Uganda Police Force’s K9 unit has expanded its services to more districts, including Kibuku, Kassanda, Bukomansimbi, and Nakasongola, with plans to extend to Apac, Nakaseke, and Bukwo. The specialized unit uses trained service dogs to prevent, detect, and investigate crimes. A May 2024 report showed that K9 had successfully resolved over 5,000 cases and led to the arrest of 4,070 suspects. The service is free of charge.
The unit already has a presence in Kanungu, Kikagati (Isingiro district), Bukomansimbi (Greater Masaka), Nebbi, Adjumani, Agago, Butambala, Nakasongola, Kibuku, and Kassanda.
These additional deployments could bring the number of stations to about 104. Each station has at least two (02) sniffer dogs.
However, Commissioner of Police, Dr. Martin Mugume, the Head of the Unit, says that to effectively utilize the K9 unit’s services, it’s essential for the public to preserve crime scenes.
“We wish to inform members of the public that canine/sniffer dog services are free of charge,” says Dr. Mugume.
The police canine unit’s primary goal is to support other police departments and units in their efforts to maintain law and order.
New arrests
According to Police Spokesman Rusoke Kituuma, a number of suspects were apprehended and exhibits recovered using our canine unit.
In the morning of November 19, 2024, police in Mityana responded to the scene of a crime of shopbreaking and theft where people broke into the shop of a resident of Nayankumbi LC1, Kimuli Maanyi subcounty, in Mityana district.
Police Canine (Whisky) led police to the residence of Lutalo Isaya, who mentioned the other two (02) suspects, Kiggundu Gerald and Ssali Ronald.
Exhibits like money, bread, cooking oil, and soap were also recovered.
The following day, November 20, 2024, around 0400 hrs, a resident of Bulyantete village, Lugazi municipality in the Buikwe district, was attacked by assailants robbing him of his belongings at home in Bulyantete.
When K9 was introduced to the scene, it led police to the home of Kato, who later on mentioned four other suspects who are still at large.
Kato’s house was searched, leading to the recovery of an assortment of items belonging to the victim.
On November 21, 2024, a resident of Nyamirambi Cell, Rugando Parish, Kyeshero Sub County, in Kanungu District lost two (02) sacks of dry coffee and three (03) basins of beans.
When police of Kanungu introduced canine to the scene of the crime, it led them to the residence of Tumuhamye Ronald. A search was conducted in Ronald’s house leading to the recovery of dry coffee. He went ahead to name Ndyagunwoha Joy as the one he sold the coffee to. Joy’s home too was searched, recovering two (02). sacks of dry coffee.
In Nakaseke district, Nakanswa village, Kito subcounty, on the night of November 22, 2024, people went to the coffee plantation of a resident and harvested coffee berries. He reported the matter to police in Kiwoko, and a canine was introduced to the scene. It led police officers to one of the stores. The owner of the store revealed the source of the coffee as Bogere Kazibwe (42), a resident of the same area.
Police arrested Bogere, who later admitted to the theft.
