Police probe suspected poisoning of elite sniffer dog in Kakumiro

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Police in Kakumiro district are investigating the suspected poisoning of a police sniffer dog, Saaka, a three-year-old German Shepherd who died under mysterious circumstances on the night of April 17, 2025, at the Kakumiro Police Barracks.

According to Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police spokesperson, Saaka had just returned from a successful field operation in the sub-counties of Kikwaya and Kijangi, where he played a key role in tracking suspects involved in cattle theft.

Hours after the mission, officers observed the dog showing signs of severe distress—laboured breathing, stomach bloating, and foam around the mouth—before it collapsed and died.

“A joint postmortem examination carried out by our team and the District Veterinary Officer revealed internal bloating, compressed lungs, and signs consistent with poisoning,” Hakiza said. 

“We cannot rule out foul play. Investigations are underway to establish whether someone intentionally poisoned the dog in retaliation for its effectiveness in recent operations.”

Saaka was one of the elite members of the Uganda Police Canine Unit, trained to detect human scent trails, narcotics, and explosives.

His sudden death is a significant loss to the force, especially at a time when the canine unit plays a critical role in Uganda’s law enforcement efforts.

The 2024 Annual Crime Report, released by Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba in February this year, highlighted the growing impact of canine-led investigations.

The report revealed that police dogs were instrumental in tracking and apprehending 15,579 suspects in 2024 alone.

The Uganda Police Canine Unit carried out 19,899 tracking operations, resulting in the recovery of 6,920 exhibits and the prosecution of 5,520 suspects.

“Dogs like Saaka are a vital resource in our investigations,” Hakiza said. “They can detect scents hours or even days after a crime is committed, helping us solve cases that might otherwise go cold.”

The Uganda Police Canine Unit, founded in 2010, now has trained dogs deployed at nearly every major police station in the country, thanks to a breeding and training centre in Nagalama.

The unit also supports the Anti-Narcotics and Counter-Terrorism departments, deploying dogs at Entebbe International Airport and key border points to detect drugs and explosives.

Despite a 4.1% drop in crime last year, from 228,074 reported cases in 2023 to 218,715 in 2024, officials say further investment in tools like the canine unit is needed to sustain progress.

The Sub-County Policing Model, introduced in 13 regions to boost community engagement and emergency response, is among the reforms now being scaled up.

Meanwhile, in Kakumiro, police are treating Saaka’s death as a possible act of retaliation by criminal elements.

“We are following all leads,” Hakiza said. “Those behind this will be brought to justice.”