Police sniffer dog leads to arrest in Wakiso burglary case

WAKISO - A police sniffer dog has led to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of stolen items following a burglary and theft incident in Kibiri B, Wakiso district.

The suspect, Adrian Kasule, was apprehended after the canine tracked him to his residence, located approximately 100 metres from the crime scene.

According to police reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of March 14, 2026, at around 1:00 am. The victim had returned home from a funeral in the neighbourhood with family members and properly secured their house before retiring for the night.

By daybreak, the family discovered that their door was open. Upon inspection with other family members, they realised that several household items were missing. Police were immediately notified and responded to the scene.

A police sniffer dog, identified as Bruce, was introduced to the crime scene and began tracking. Bruce followed a scent trail for about 100 metres, leading officers directly to Kasule’s location, where the dog sat next to the suspect, a clear indication of identification.

A subsequent search of Kasule’s house yielded incriminating evidence. Police recovered a stolen decoder, breaking implements, and a stolen button phone. The suspect was immediately taken into custody, and investigations are ongoing.

Police dogs have proven to be a game-changer in Uganda’s fight against crime, with statistics demonstrating their significant contribution to law enforcement.

According to the Annual Crime Report released last week by Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba, police dogs were instrumental in tracking and apprehending 15,579 suspects across the country in 2024. Police are set to release the 2025 crime report this month, according to sources.

The report highlights the critical role played by the Uganda Police Canine Unit, which conducted 19,899 tracking operations in 2024.

These operations led to 5,520 suspects being taken to court and the recovery of 6,920 exhibits, ranging from stolen property to evidence crucial for criminal prosecutions.

Trained to follow scent trails left at crime scenes, police dogs have become a key asset in criminal investigations.

Officers say the canines can track suspects over long distances, often leading to swift arrests that might otherwise have been difficult to achieve through conventional investigative methods.

The dogs are particularly effective in cases of burglary, murder, and livestock theft, where traditional investigation techniques may face significant challenges.

Established to support law enforcement agencies, the Uganda Police Canine Unit works closely with various departments, including anti-narcotics and counterterrorism.

At Entebbe International Airport and other border points, the unit deploys specially trained dogs to detect narcotics and explosives, playing a crucial role in national security.

Since 2010, the unit has expanded significantly. A breeding and training centre in Nagalama now ensures that nearly every police station in the country has at least two sniffer dogs.

This expansion has strengthened the fight against crime, with law enforcement agencies relying heavily on the animals for evidence recovery and suspect identification.

Despite a reported 4.1% drop in overall crime from 228,074 cases in 2023 to 218,715 cases in 2024, authorities continue to enhance policing strategies to maintain and improve public safety.

The Sub-County Policing Model, designed to improve community engagement and emergency response, has been rolled out in 13 policing regions across the country.

Police are also reviewing deployment strategies and investing in digitisation to improve operational efficiency.

Community policing remains a key focus, with authorities encouraging civilians to report crimes and work closely with law enforcement.

Officials believe that combined efforts, ranging from the expansion of the canine unit to structural reforms, will further strengthen Uganda’s crime-fighting capabilities in the coming years.