Police in Kakumiro District are investigating the suspected poisoning of a police sniffer dog, Saaka, a three-year-old German Shepherd who died under suspicious circumstances on the night of April 17, 2025, at the Kakumiro Police Barracks.
According to Julius Hakiza, spokesperson for the Albertine Region Police, Saaka had just returned from a successful operation in the sub-counties of Kikwaya and Kijangi, where he was instrumental in tracking suspects involved in cattle theft.
Hours after the operation, officers noticed Saaka in severe distress—he was breathing heavily, his abdomen was bloated, and foam appeared around his mouth. He collapsed shortly afterward and died.
A joint postmortem by police and the District Veterinary Officer revealed internal bloating, compressed lungs, and other indicators consistent with poisoning.
“We suspect foul play,” said Hakiza. “There is a strong possibility that Saaka was deliberately targeted in retaliation for his effectiveness in recent cases. Investigations are ongoing.”
Saaka was a valued member of the Uganda Police Canine Unit, specially trained to detect human scent trails, narcotics, and explosives.
The 2024 Annual Crime Report, released in February, showed the growing importance of canine units in law enforcement.
In 2024 alone, police dogs were involved in tracking and apprehending 15,579 suspects. The Canine Unit, established in 2010, conducted 19,899 tracking operations that year, leading to the recovery of 6,920 pieces of evidence.
The police force has 179 sniffer dogs nationwide, with 50 percent deployed in the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
