KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Canine Unit of the Uganda Police Force organized the country’s first-ever national dog walk on Saturday, aiming to educate the public on the diverse roles of dogs beyond being pets.
The walk, which started at Mackenzie Drive in Kololo, proceeded along Acacia Avenue and Kanjokya Street, showcasing the capabilities of trained dogs. Sergeant Herbert Nangoli, Chief Instructor of the Police Canine Unit, highlighted the various specialties of dogs, including explosive detection, drug detection, tracking criminals, search and rescue operations, and soon, detecting cash and rescuing victims in disaster scenarios.
“The national dog walk is a great initiative to showcase the importance of dogs in our lives,” said Ms. Jacqueline Namuli, a veterinarian and animal rights activist. “Dogs are not just pets, but also working animals that can be trained to assist us in various ways.”
“I was impressed by the skills displayed by the police dogs today,” said Emily Namugga, a dog owner and breeder. “It’s amazing to see how dogs can be trained to detect explosives and drugs, and even help in search and rescue missions. This event has inspired me to train my own dog to be more useful.”
Sharif Ssemwanga, a veterinary doctor and dog behaviorist popularly known as @mydogug emphasized the importance of proper training and socialization of dogs. “Dogs are intelligent animals that can be trained to perform various tasks, but they need proper training and socialization from an early age,” he said. “Events like this dog walk are essential in raising awareness about the potential of dogs and promoting responsible dog ownership.”
Ssemwanga, who was accompanied by his trained dog, Django, also demonstrated some basic dog training techniques and emphasized the need for regular exercise and mental stimulation for dogs. “Dogs need physical and mental stimulation to lead happy and healthy lives,” he said. “Regular exercise and training can help prevent behavioral problems in dogs.”
The Uganda Police Canine Unit, revived between 2011 and 2013, has been breeding and training dogs at their Naggalama center to support police operations nationwide. The unit’s dogs have been instrumental in fighting crime, maintaining public order, tracking suspects, and detecting explosives, including during the 2020 Kampala bombings.
