The Uganda Police Force has announced an investigation into reports that police stations across the country are charging residents for canine unit services, despite the feeding, welfare and shelter of the dogs being fully funded by taxpayers.
The revelation was made by Deputy Inspector General of Police James Ochaya during a sitting of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on March 10, 2026, as lawmakers reviewed the December 2025 Auditor General’s report.
The matter was raised by Kumi Municipality Member of Parliament Silas Aogon, who told the committee that residents in his constituency are charged an average of Shs300,000 whenever they request canine services.
“Whenever there is an issue and somebody needs to pick the dog, they tell you that you have to pay. And I think this is for the whole country, not only my constituency. Can't these dogs operate for free? How much do they eat per day? Maybe there is a lot of money that we need to buy food for them because they are charging like Shs300,000 per user. Isn't that too much?” Aogon asked.
Ochaya said the practice was against official policy and expressed surprise at the allegations.
“Canine services? These are free services. I don't know how it comes against our officers,” he said.
The issue prompted several MPs to share similar experiences from different parts of the country.
Mawogola South MP and PAC Vice Chairperson Gorreth Namugga said residents in Ssembabule routinely pay for canine services.
“It has never been free. We are giving you information; the dogs are paid for, very expensively. You need to update the community on what it takes for a common person to get that dog,” Namugga said.
Ibanda North MP Xavier Kyooma said some communities have formed groups to pool money to pay for the services whenever they are needed.
“Actually, for some places, because of these dogs being expensive, they have formed groups specifically to pool resources so that when it happens, they have the money to look for the services. So, they are paid for. And it is not indicated in their financials. It is off-budget,” Kyooma said.
Ochaya reiterated that canine services are officially free and said the police leadership would investigate the allegations.
“The dog, I am also wondering why. Because I offer these services free. Well, I said we shall investigate and find out where the problem is and rectify,” he said.
Undersecretary of Uganda Police Aggrey Wunyi said some of the charges may be linked to logistical challenges, particularly when dogs must be transported to distant locations.
He said the police are addressing the challenge by procuring specialised canine transport vehicles that will soon be distributed in rural areas.
However, Kashongi County MP Herbert Tayebwa rejected the explanation, arguing that the charges appear to be standardised regardless of distance.
“Even if the station is about 500 metres away from the alleged scene, they would still charge Shs200,000. I think the issue is not about transport because the rates are standard,” Tayebwa said.
Wunyi said the matter had previously been raised in Parliament and emphasised that police have consistently communicated that canine services are free.
He added that when members of the public pay the charges, they inadvertently encourage the practice.
“We came here last time and we recorded that dog services are free, and we make the public aware. We are lucky we have achieved 95% presence now,” Wunyi said.
Amuria Woman MP Susan Amero criticised the police for failing to adequately inform the public that the services are free.
“If the people were aware that these dogs are free, they wouldn’t be paying illegal fees. You leave it to MPs like us to handle the money when someone fails to raise it. If you want to institutionalize it, let them give us a receipt that we have paid, and you get that money for government to use as non-tax revenue,” Amero said.
“When you ask for the dogs, they tell us we don't feed these dogs on greens. They need fuel. I don't know when dogs have started taking fuel or what.”
