Uganda mourns today the passing of one of its most revered legal minds and constitutional champions, Professor George Wilson Kanyeihamba, who died on July 14, 2025, aged 85.
Known affectionately as a “pillar of constitutionalism,” Prof. Kanyeihamba dedicated a lifetime to justice, law, and nation-building, serving in top government roles, sitting on the Supreme Court bench, and shaping Uganda’s legal landscape through his writings and teachings.
Messages of condolence poured in from across Uganda’s political spectrum and beyond.
The Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, representing Parliament, expressed: “Professor Kanyeihamba devoted his life to the nation through various cabinet positions, his judicial service, and legal practice. May the Lord comfort all grieving and grant him eternal rest.”
Bobi Wine, the National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader and former musician, added: “My family and I mourn the loss of a great constitutionalist and friend to justice. Rest in glory, Prof.”
His towering legacy also earned heartfelt tributes from lawyers, academics, and activists:
Denis Kusaasira praised his “immense contributions to justice and the rule of law,” while King Melvin (#FreeKizzaBesigye) called him a fearless teacher whose work inspired many across Uganda.
Who Was Prof. George Kanyeihamba?
Born in Kinaba, Kigezi Region, in 1939, Kanyeihamba rose from humble beginnings to become a global legal scholar. Educated in Uganda and the UK, holding a Ph.D. in law from the University of Warwick, he left an indelible mark as a judge, minister, author, and academic.
He was instrumental in drafting Uganda’s 1995 Constitution and served on the Supreme Court from 1997 until his retirement in 2009. Famously, he was among the justices who ruled that President Museveni’s 2006 re-election was fraught with irregularities, a stance believed to have cost him later judicial appointments.
Beyond the courtroom and cabinet, Kanyeihamba was a dedicated educator and prolific writer, publishing influential books and articles on constitutional law, governance, and human rights in Uganda and East Africa.
His work as Chancellor of Kampala International University and Kabale University, as well as his role advising on human rights and international affairs, showcased his commitment to nurturing Uganda’s future legal minds.
Prof. Kanyeihamba leaves behind his wife, Susan, three children, and an adopted daughter, as well as a nation forever indebted to his wisdom, courage, and integrity.
As Uganda bids farewell to a true legal titan, his flame continues to inspire the pursuit of justice, constitutionalism, and the rule of law.
