IGP Ochola extols departed Police band director Kakooza as a dedicated officer

The Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola has praised Commissioner of Police, Josephine Kakooza as a dedicated and fearless police officer cherished by everyone in the force.

Ochola’s condolence message was delivered during a requiem mass at St. Peter's Catholic Parish Church, Nsambya on Thursday by AIGP Andrew Sorowen on behalf of Ochola.

"By her death, the family members, Uganda Police Force and the country at large have been robbed of a dedicated Officer with high integrity, commitment and zeal towards her job,”Ochola said.

“She will always be remembered for her talented leadership in music, dance and drama.”

Nicknamed ‘Mama Police’, Josephine Kakooza in December 2011 broke the record when she became the first woman since independence to be named the Director of music in the Uganda police force.

However, according to Ochola, Kakooza continued exhibiting excellence in her duties as she led by example, a character he said made her get admired by many.

Kakooza died on Wednesday morning died of high blood pressure at Namirembe where she was rushed after developing difficulties in breathing.

She joined the music, dance and drama department of the police force as a 14-year –old in 1969 and has risen through the ranks from a probation Police constable to be decorated Commissioner of Police, a rank she held until her death.

From Probation Police Constable (PPC), Kakooza was promoted to Police Constable, Corporal before becoming a Sergeant and in 1993 was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector of Police and in February 2000, she became a police inspector.

In 2004, she became an Assistant Superintendent of Police and in 2008 she was promoted to Superintendent of Police and was in 2011 appointed the first woman head of the police music department.

In 2012, she was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police by President Museveni for her diligent service that saw her skip the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police.

In 2014 , Kakooza was promoted to  Commissioner of Police, a rank  she held until her death.

She has performed before various Ugandan heads of state including Idi Amin, Milton Obote and Yoweri Museveni as has been one of the most recognized figures in the Uganda Police Forces that she has served for 50 years.

Kakooza will be laid to rest on Saturday in Namumira, along the Mukono –Katosi road.