KABALE – The late Chris John Bakiza, former Director of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) was accorded a gun salute as he was laid to rest in his ancestral Mushenyi B village, Bigaaga parish, Butanda Sub-county of Ndorwa West County in Kabale district yesterday.
Many mourners paid tribute to Bakiza, describing him as an expert in Criminal Law and Investigations. He authored a handbook on Criminal investigation in Uganda in 2022 and a guide on the use of minimum force by the police titled “A Lesson for Uganda” in 1993, which was abridged in 2023.
At the sendoff service held at Habubare playground in Butanda Sub-county, the Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth Ochola, represented by Senior Superintendent of Police Ibrahim Saiga the Kigezi Region Police Commander commended the late Bakiza’s rapid rise in the force, attributing it to his exceptional abilities. He urged current officers to emulate Bakiza’s legacy for success in their service.
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The Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Co-operatives, also the Member of Parliament for Ndorwa West County, shared a message praising Bakiza’s patriotism and dedication to serving the country. The message, delivered by Nelson Nshangabasheija, Kabale District LC5 Chairman, highlighted Bakiza as a parent who loved serving God.
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Representing the Diocesan Bishop, Rev Canon Milton Nkurunungi, the Secretary of the Diocese of Kigezi, acknowledged Bakiza as an inspiration to many across different disciplines. He encouraged Christians to prioritize education, embrace development, and trust in God to combat poverty.
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Born on August 21, 1954, Chris John Bakiza passed away at 69 on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Cancer Institute, Mulago National Referral Hospital. He was the son of the late Erinesti Bakiza and late Evelina Bakiza of Mushenyi B, Bigaaga parish, Butanda Sub-county, Ndorwa West County, Kabale District. Besides his role as a constitutional law specialist, Bakiza served as an external examiner at the Law Development Centre (LDC).
In 1980, Bakiza joined the police, becoming one of the first 26 graduate cadet officers alongside retired IGP John Cossy Odomel, Gen David Tinyefuza, Jim Muhwezi, and Elizabeth Muwanga. As a cadet leader in Tanzania, he returned to Uganda, serving at various positions in Central Police Station (CPS), Kampala, Katwe, and Moroto. In 1984, he joined CID headquarters at Impala House as a CID detective Assistant Superintendent of Police.
He continued his journey, holding roles such as OC/CID at the Bank of Uganda exchange and later being promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Directorate of Legal Services at the parliamentary building in 1990. From 1992 to 1996, he served as the Director of Administration and Finance, then Director of Operations, and finally, from 1997 to 1999, he held the position of Director CID headquarters Kampala.
Retiring in 2000, Bakiza established his law firm, Bakiza and Company Advocates.
