Police dog tracks down rape suspect to Kawempe hideout

KAMPALA - Police in Kawempe have arrested one of two suspects involved in a violent robbery and rape incident that occurred in Kisenyi zone, following a successful sniffer dog operation that led officers to the suspect’s hideout.

Addressing journalists at the Police headquarters in Naguru on Monday, Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, confirmed the arrest of a suspect identified as Jonathan Ssekandi, who was found hiding in a small room shortly after a sniffer dog picked up his scent.

“This incident occurred on the night of June 13, 2025, at around 1:00am. A gang of two thugs broke into the house of a businesswoman (names withheld), raped her, and robbed her of property including a 32-inch flat-screen television, a Samsung A4 mobile phone, and cash amounting to Shs500,000,” Owoyesigyire said.

He explained that the assailants were armed with a knife and fled the scene after committing the crimes. The victim reported the matter at Kakungulu Police Post later the same day and requested canine support to help track down the attackers.

“Our canine team, together with CID officers and Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), visited the crime scene at around 1:30pm. The police sniffer dog, Boela, picked up the scent from the point where the stolen television had been placed and tracked it for about 100 metres,” Owoyesigyire said.

The dog eventually led officers to a small room where one of the suspects, Ssekandi, was found sleeping. The dog immediately sat down beside him, confirming the scent match.

Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, confirmed the arrest of a suspect identified as Jonathan Ssekandi, who was found hiding in a small room shortly after a sniffer dog picked up his scent. (Credit: Nancy Nanyonga)

The second suspect, identified as Ssulasako alias Mayor, reportedly fled upon noticing police presence.

A subsequent search of the room yielded several exhibits believed to have been used in the crime, including a sharp knife with a black cover, a pair of scissors, a hammer, and several bundles of opium wrapped in six blue polythene bags and hidden inside a sack.

“These items are believed to have been used in the commission of the crime, and the recovered opium suggests there may be a drug-related angle to the suspects’ activities,” Owoyesigyire added.

He noted that Ssekandi is currently in custody as investigations continue, while efforts to apprehend his accomplice are ongoing.

“We are actively hunting for the second suspect. We call on members of the public with any information about his whereabouts to come forward and assist the police,” Owoyesigyire said.

The case has been registered under SD Ref: 11/13/06/2025 at Kakungulu Police Post, under Kawempe Police Division.