The territorial police in the Wamala Region have arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of fresh coffee cherries, following an intelligence-led operation supported by the K9 unit. The arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown targeting individuals involved in stealing fresh farm produce across the region.
The suspects, Kigundu and his wife Alice Ishimwe, both residents of Kireku Village in Busimbi Division, Mityana District, were apprehended after a detailed investigation linked them to the theft of coffee from the garden of Steven Ssemujju, a 59-year-old resident of the same area.
According to the police statement, the incident occurred on the night of November 17, 2025, when the couple allegedly trespassed into Ssemujju’s garden and stole an undisclosed amount of coffee.
Earlier that morning, Ssemujju noticed signs of disturbance in his garden and quickly realised that his coffee had been stolen. He immediately filed a report at the nearest police post, prompting a swift response from the Mityana K9 unit and a team of investigators.
Upon arriving at the scene, the police deployed Whisky, a trained sniffer dog, which picked up a human scent believed to be left behind by the perpetrators. Whisky tracked the trail for approximately 500 metres, ultimately leading officers to a store located on the property of the suspects.
Inside the store, the police recovered freshly stolen coffee, consistent with what Ssemujju had reported missing. The K9 dog later led investigators to an additional stash hidden behind the main house, near the suspect’s latrine. At this location, police found more stolen coffee and a mosquito net believed to have been used to carry and conceal the produce.
Both suspects were arrested at the scene and are currently in custody as investigations continue. Police say the operation demonstrates the effectiveness of specialised units like the K9 team in combating agricultural theft, a crime that has increasingly affected local farmers.
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