Jinja Police Introduces Sniffer Dogs to Fight Terrorism

The police in Jinja City have introduced sniffer dogs to enhance their efforts in detecting explosives at the Source of the Nile Bridge, also known as the new Jinja bridge. 

Two sniffer dogs were acquired by the police through Richard Okullu, the Kiira Region Police Commander, with the aim of strengthening their investigations, particularly in Bugembe, Mafubira, Namulesa, Buwekula, and Wanyange areas. 

The deployment of the sniffer dogs is in addition to the existing surveillance measures such as CCTV cameras and patrol vehicles. The decision to introduce sniffer dogs comes after the UK government issued a terror alert, warning of potential terrorist threats in Uganda.

Furthermore, pedestrians have been prohibited from using the Old Railway Bridge during nighttime following the arrest of three individuals who were found carrying a firearm in a sack. The Old Railway Bridge, which was constructed in the 1940s, is situated south of the New Bridge and provides a convenient route for pedestrians traveling between Jinja City and Bukaya, Nyenga, and Nile.

According to Hellen Butoto, the Ssezibwa Region Police Spokesperson, the three suspects, including a member of the Fisheries Protection Unit from the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), were apprehended on the Old Railway Bridge while attempting to cross from Njeru in Buikwe District to Jinja City. They are currently held in custody at Njeru Police Station as investigations continue.