Dr. Hassy Kitine, who served as Director General of the Tanzania Intelligence and Security Services (TISS) from 1978 to 1980, has been laid to rest today at Kisutu Cemetery in Dar es Salaam.

The funeral was attended by various dignitaries, including former Prime Minister Judge Joseph Warioba.

Dr. Kitine passed away yesterday at the age of 82 in Dar es Salaam.

Among the mourners was Kinondoni District Commissioner Saad Mtambule, who visited the late Dr. Kitine’s home and signed the condolence book.

Dr. Kitine died at his residence yesterday night.

In addition to leading the country’s intelligence agency, Dr. Kitine served as Member of Parliament for Makete and held ministerial roles, including Minister of State in the President’s Office (Good Governance) and Minister of Health.

Born in 1943 in Kisinga Village, Lupalilo Ward, Lupalilo Division, Makete District, Dr. Kitine began his education in 1950 at Rungwe Primary School in Tukuyu.

In 1969, he joined the National Service (JKT) at Ruvu and later the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF), beginning his training at Mgulani before proceeding to the UK. Upon his return, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

In 1971, while holding the rank of lieutenant, he was deployed to Nachingwea as a platoon commander supporting Mozambique’s FRELIMO liberation movement.

That same year, he was appointed TPDF Assistant Training Officer and, in 1972, Political Education Officer, later transferred to Monduli.

In April 1974, he returned to Dar es Salaam to serve as Aide to the Chief of Defence Forces, later becoming Secretary to the CDF. He was then assigned to a small arms manufacturing factory in Morogoro as Deputy General Manager, and later appointed Principal of the Monduli Military Academy.

In February 1976, he was appointed Director General of the TISS. He earned a Master’s degree from Lakehead University in 1986 and a PhD from Simon Fraser University in 1993.

As Minister of State in the President’s Office for Good Governance under President Benjamin Mkapa, Dr. Kitine resigned after he and his wife were implicated in a scandal involving the misuse of public funds—reportedly $50,000—to facilitate medical treatment for his wife in the U.S., despite her not being ill.

Dr. Kitine served as a Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2005 and was also a representative in the East African Legislative Assembly from 2000 to 2005.

He lectured in economics at various universities, including institutions in Canada and the University of Dar es Salaam.

In 2015, he announced his intention to run for president under the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), vowing to restore the Tanzania envisioned by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere within five years.