How Uncle Dogs turned dog keeping into a thriving business

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reports that Sharif Ssemwanga, known locally as “Uncle Dogs,” has turned dog keeping in Buwate, a suburb of Kampala, into a growing business built around breeding, grooming, training and selling dogs. The article says Ssemwanga manages about 60 dogs and is aiming to expand his kennel to 1,000 animals over the coming years, alongside plans for a four-acre canine centre in Kalagala, Luwero District.

According to the report, his interest in dogs began in childhood in Kamwokya, where he grew up near Kampala Animal Clinic and later received a German shepherd from a British expatriate in 2009. That experience led him to see dog breeding as a viable enterprise. The story also notes that he has diplomas in water engineering and solar installation, but chose to focus on dogs instead of a conventional career path.

The Independent says Ssemwanga’s business has attracted a range of clients, including well-known business and entertainment figures, and that he helped launch dog walks and an annual dog festival with fellow breeder Martin Ssebunya in 2022. The article also describes broader demand in Uganda for breeds such as German shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Rottweilers, citing security needs, urbanisation and the growing appeal of pets.

Ssemwanga told the newspaper that the sector remains costly because of feeding, veterinary care and quality breeding stock, but he sees room for growth if breeders become more organised and professional. The piece frames his story as an example of how a niche passion can become a livelihood in Uganda's expanding pet and security dog market.