NEWS – Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives (Industry), Honorable David Bahati, has expressed heartfelt condolences for the passing of the former Director of the Criminal Investigations Directorate in the Uganda Police Force, John Chris Bakiza, praising him for his unwavering dedication to the country.
Bakiza, a constitutional law specialist and external examiner at the LDC, reportedly passed away on the night of November 3, 2023, at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala.
Minister Bahati, who also serves as the Ndorwa West County Member of Parliament, conveyed his condolences to Bakiza’s family through his official Twitter handle. In his message, Minister Bahati remembered the deceased as a luminary figure who not only contributed significantly to the legal profession but also played a pivotal role in mentoring and training numerous individuals in the field of law.
“We are saddened by the loss of Mr. Chris Bakiza, our esteemed elder and former Director of CID in Uganda Police. Mr. Bakiza’s commitment to his country was evident, and he served as a guiding light, imparting knowledge and guidance to many aspiring lawyers during his time on earth. Our sincere condolences to the family, and may God grant him eternal peace,” eulogized Minister Bahati.
Bakiza commenced his journey with the police in 1980, being one of the inaugural 26 graduate cadet officers alongside notable figures like John Cossy Odomel, a retired IGP, Gen David Tinyefuza, Jim Muhwezi, and Elizabeth Muwanga.
As a student cadet leader at the Police Academy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Bakiza, and Odomel demonstrated leadership. Upon returning to Uganda, Bakiza served in various capacities at the Central Police Station (CPS), Kampala, Katwe, and Moroto. He eventually joined the CID headquarters at Impala House in 1984 as a CID detective Assistant Superintendent of Police.
Over the years, Bakiza’s career flourished, taking on roles such as OC/CID at the Bank of Uganda exchange for three years until 1990. His dedication led to a promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1990, where he headed the Directorate of Legal Services at the parliamentary building, the former police headquarters in Kampala.
From 1992 to 1996, Bakiza served as the Director of Administration and Finance, transitioning to Director of Operations. Between 1997 and 1999, he held the position of Director at CID headquarters Kampala. He retired in 2000, venturing into private law practice with the establishment of Bakiza and Company Advocates.
