KAMPALA, Uganda — A Kampala resident is making a public plea for assistance after her beloved dog, Scout, a white-and-brown beagle mix, went missing on Saturday morning, November 22, 2025, from the upscale Kololo neighborhood under what the owner describes as suspicious circumstances.
Anne Martin, the owner, is offering a Shs1 million reward for the safe return of Scout, who weighs approximately 17kg. The dog was last seen around 8:30 a.m. near Summit View along Prince Charles Drive.
Ms. Martin revealed that Scout was reportedly spotted with four teenage boys shortly before disappearing, raising fears that the pet may have been taken intentionally.
An exhaustive search and emotional toll
The dog’s AirTag last registered a signal at 9:00 a.m. on Bukoto Street, indicating that Scout was likely moved swiftly away from the area after vanishing.
Ms. Martin described emotional strain, calling the past few days of exhaustive searching “extremely difficult” for her family.
Defending the reward amount, Ms. Martin underscored the family’s desperation to bring Scout home.
“The effort is ongoing… we are looking everywhere, but we still don’t have the dog. We are making a lot of effort, and that’s why we’ve offered this reward — we want any support we can get from whoever can help,” Martin said.
When questioned about the six-figure reward, she confirmed: “That’s the money that is there. Yes, that’s correct.”
The owner noted that the search efforts have primarily relied on community engagement and digital tools.
“We haven’t gone to the newspapers, just some social media,” she said, acknowledging the wide circulation of Scout’s missing poster across Kampala’s digital sphere.
The psychology of pet loss
Scout’s disappearance has underscored the profound psychological impact that losing a pet can have on owners.
Studies on human-animal bonding confirm that the attachment patterns formed with dogs are often comparable to those of familial bonds, leading owners to experience anxiety, acute stress, and even depression, particularly when uncertainty persists for days.
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The reward itself has elicited mixed cultural reactions in Uganda. While some may view Shs1 million as unusually high “for a dog,” certain breeds in Kampala are valued highly, often selling for between $500 and $1,000 (roughly Shs1.8 million to Shs3.6 million). For dedicated pet owners like Ms. Martin, however, the emotional value far surpasses the financial cost.
Ms. Martin remains hopeful and continues to appeal for empathy and vigilance from the public. “We just need any support we can get,” she urged.
Anyone with information regarding Scout’s whereabouts is asked to contact Anne Martin immediately.
