Police in Kanungu District have arrested two individuals in connection with separate incidents of coffee theft, thanks to the use of sniffer dogs. Oliver Kasangaki, a resident of Nkunda Village in Nkunda Ward, Kihihi Town Council, was arrested on Saturday night after a police sniffer dog tracked her to a store where she was found hiding stolen dry coffee.
The coffee had reportedly been stolen from the home of Adellah Tushabe, a resident of the same village. Earlier on Thursday, Hekiran Twakyire of Nkumbalaga Village in Nyakatunguru Ward, also in Kihihi Town Council, was arrested using similar methods. The arrest followed a complaint filed by Emerson Muyambi, who reported that unknown individuals had trespassed into his garden and harvested fresh coffee.
Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, confirmed the arrests and said the suspects are currently detained at Kihihi Police Station as investigations continue. Maate noted that cases of coffee theft are becoming increasingly common in the district.
In March 2025, two suspects — Praise Agnes and Twongyirwe Justus, both from Kihembe Cell in Kihihi Town Council — were arrested after a sniffer dog led police to them with stolen coffee belonging to a resident, Laban Tugume.
In another case reported in November 2024, Phillip Twinomuhwezi of Ntabagwe Village in Kihembe Parish, Kanyantorogo Sub-County, was tracked by a sniffer dog and found in possession of coffee stolen from the garden of Onesmus Asiimwe. Police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, especially during the harvest season when cases of coffee theft tend to rise.