Kamuli, Uganda: The police canine unit in Busoga North’s Kamuli District has stepped up efforts in the fight against rampant livestock theft, playing a critical role in tracking suspects and recovering stolen animals.
According to the Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Michael Kasadha, the sniffer dog attached to the district has been instrumental in scent detection, suspect apprehension, and evidence collection, particularly in cases of cattle theft.
“We have widely relied on our sniffer dog to track and detect the scent of suspects. Dogs can track the scent of stolen animals within 24 hours from the time an offence is committed, leading investigators to the location of the animals or the suspects involved,” ASP Kasadha said in a Monday police statement.
Statistics from Kamuli Central Police Station indicate that between January and May 2025, 38 cases of cattle theft were recorded, resulting in the arrest of 28 suspects. Of these, 24 were successfully charged in court.
Statistics from Kamuli Central Police Station indicate that between January and May 2025, 38 cases of cattle theft were recorded, resulting in the arrest of 28 suspects. Of these, 24 were successfully charged in court.
However, a surge in cattle theft has triggered fear and frustration among residents of Nabirumba Sub-county in Kamuli District, as livestock raiders continue to devastate livelihoods across the villages of Butwale, Bukalu, and Buluta.
The thefts, which have escalated in recent months, are threatening the economic survival of a predominantly agricultural community. Locals say they are losing not only their animals but also their primary source of income and food security, pushing many households deeper into hardship.
Paul Kyebanakolanga, the Local Council II chairperson of Nabirumba 1, expressed deep concern during a recent interview and appealed to government to urgently enhance security in the area.
“We are in desperate need of more security,” Kyebanakolanga said. “Our people are losing their livelihoods, and we need the government to step in and protect us from these criminals.”
He criticised the current police investigation methods, particularly the reliance on sniffer dogs, which he said are not enough to deter well-organised cattle thieves.
“While helpful in certain cases, the dogs often fail to provide conclusive evidence in court, and their tracking ability is limited by time and terrain. The police dogs are simply not enough,” he said. “We need more sophisticated and reliable methods of investigation.”
His frustration was shared by Jacob Lwanga, the youth chairperson of Nabirumba, who noted that the threat of theft has discouraged many young people from venturing into livestock farming.
“Our young people are afraid to invest in livestock farming because of the high risk of theft,” Lwanga said. “We need the government to take this issue seriously and provide us with the protection we deserve.”
The deployment of Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) officers across Busoga North has also bolstered surveillance and rapid response to livestock crimes, helping restore trust among livestock farmers in the sub-region.
ASP Kasadha applauded the public for their cooperation. “We commend the members of the public for the vigilance and cooperation as we fight cattle thefts in the area,” he said.
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