Police in the Busoga East Region have arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of coffee from a local farmer’s garden in Bango village, Bugiri district.
The incident was confirmed in a police statement on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.It came to light when the victim, Bulenzi Dasan, discovered that his coffee had been harvested and stolen overnight.
He promptly reported the theft to Budhaya Police Station, prompting officers to deploy their sniffer dog, Monica, from the K9 unit.
Monica picked up a scent from the crime scene and successfully tracked it for approximately one kilometer, eventually leading officers to the home of one of the suspects, Mugweri Paul. Upon arrest, Mugweri confessed to selling the stolen coffee to a second suspect, identified as Okoi Joseph.
Police proceeded to Okoi’s residence, where they recovered the stolen coffee. Okoi admitted to purchasing the produce from Mugweri, fully aware it was illegally obtained.
Both suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations. Authorities have commended the swift action of the K9 unit in aiding the recovery of the stolen goods.
“Monica picked up the scent and tracked the suspects for approximately 1km, leading officers to Mugweri Paul’s home,” the statement read.
The duo are currently in detention to assist with further investigations. Their arrests serve as a warning to potential thieves in the area, while police K9 unit’s contribution has been widely commended.
On April 8, 2025, authorities arrested 13 individuals suspected of orchestrating widespread coffee theft in Rubindi-Ruhumba Town Council, Mbarara District. Residents tipped off police about the thieves targeting farmers’ coffee plantations.
