Kyotera District, Uganda – Residents of Kyotera are reeling from shock after a retired Police Constable, Lubega Francis, was caught red-handed stealing matooke (bananas) from a neighbor’s garden—an act that has stunned a community that once respected him as a law enforcer.
The victim, Ssebabuga Bernard, had long suspected someone was stealing from his plantation. After several incidents, he decided to report the matter to the local police. What followed was a dramatic twist that no one saw coming.
Under the direction of the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations (OC CID), a police dog named Tracker was deployed to investigate. Given a scent from the scene of the latest theft, Tracker followed the trail with precision—leading officers straight to Lubega’s home.
To the disbelief of both the police and locals, Lubega was found in possession of the stolen matooke. When confronted, he confessed on the spot, admitting to the theft without hesitation.
The revelation that a former law enforcement officer was behind the theft has sparked widespread reaction, with many community members expressing a mix of disbelief and disappointment.
“This just proves that no one is above the law,” one resident remarked. “Whether you are retired or active, justice will catch up with you.”
Police have praised the effectiveness of Tracker, the canine unit responsible for unmasking the culprit. Authorities emphasized that the case underscores how justice is impartial, and even those who once enforced the law are not immune to its reach.
The incident has become a powerful talking point in Kyotera, serving as a reminder that accountability must be upheld at all levels of society—and that trained police dogs remain a vital tool in law enforcement.
Lubega is expected to be charged with theft, and police say investigations are complete. Meanwhile, the community continues to process the strange irony of a man once sworn to protect property, now caught stealing it.
