Isingiro, Uganda: A sniffer dog from the Uganda Police Force’s canine unit helped detectives track down two suspects accused of stealing matooke in a successful specialised operation in Isingiro District’s Mbare Sub-county.
The Police at Mbare Police Station say the operation unfolded after a resident, Ahiruhangari Abia, reported the theft of six bunches of matooke from her garden in Kyabahesi Bahingi Cell, Kyabahesi Parish.
According to the complainant’s report to police, she discovered unknown persons had cut and stolen the matooke from her plantation and immediately called in police sniffer dog services to assist in tracking the culprits.
“A police sniffer dog was deployed at the scene, picked a strong scent trail, and tracked for a distance of about 200 metres, leading officers to the home of Ruhangariyo Samuel Innocent,” the police statement read. Police spokespersons said.
At the suspect’s residence, officers recovered the six stolen bunches of matooke hidden inside his room. Ruhangariyo, who lives near the complainant and is described by neighbours as a habitual offender, then implicated his alleged accomplice, Kamukama Alex alias “Kadogo,” who was also arrested.
Both suspects are currently detained at Mbare Police Station as investigations continue and authorities prepare the case file for prosecution.
Canine Unit Boosts Crime Detection
Uganda’s Police Canine Unit has increasingly played a key role in crime detection across the country. In recent years, sniffer dogs have been instrumental in dozens of operations, from tracking suspects in murder investigations to supporting narcotics and theft probes.
In a recent murder investigation in Isingiro earlier this year, a sniffer dog tracked a scent trail to a suspect linked to a homicide, leading to the arrest of the individual identified by the victim’s relatives.
The Uganda Police Force’s K9 unit also expanded services to cover more districts, and between January and March 2024 carried out more than 5,000 tracking operations, helping arrest thousands of suspects and recover exhibits in crimes ranging from theft to violent offences.
Police urge the public to preserve crime scenes and report incidents promptly to maximise the effectiveness of canine tracking, noting that sniffer dog services are free of charge and available 24/7.
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