In a solemn and dignified special sitting held today July 23, 2025 at the Supreme Court in Kampala, the Judiciary paid its final respects to the late Prof. George W. Kanyeihamba, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and one of the most influential legal minds in Uganda’s history.
The session was led by Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo and attended by a full bench of Supreme Court justices, judicial officers from all court levels, members of the legal fraternity, senior judiciary staff, friends, and family.
Kanyeihamba, who passed away on July 14 at the age of 85, will be laid to rest on July 29, at his residence in Buziga, Makindye Division.
He succumbed to complications related to diabetes after a prolonged illness, just weeks before his 86th birthday.
Today’s session served not only as a formal farewell but also as a platform to reflect on the monumental legacy left behind by Justice Kanyeihamba, a jurist, scholar, constitutional architect, and statesman.
Owiny-Dollo, delivering a moving tribute, praised the late justice for his unwavering commitment to constitutionalism, judicial independence, and academic excellence.
“Justice Kanyeihamba was not just a judge; he was a force of reason and courage, a man who never shied away from speaking truth to power,” he said.
Seated alongside him on the Supreme Court panel were Justices Prof Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza, Percy Night Tuhaise, Mike Chibita, Stephen Musota, Catherine Bamugemereire, and Kibeedi Muzamiru Mutangula, all of whom expressed admiration for the late justice’s fearless intellect and dedication to the rule of law.
Kanyeihamba’s legal legacy is vast. He served on the Supreme Court from 1997 to 2009 and was a key figure in the drafting of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution.
Beyond the courtroom, he also served the country as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Attorney General, legislator, and academic.
He represented Uganda at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and authored several acclaimed works in constitutional and human rights law.
In recognition of his lifelong service to Uganda’s legal, academic, and political institutions, President Yoweri Museveni has granted Prof Kanyeihamba an official burial.
The tribute session drew legal professionals, law students, and academics, many of whom described Kanyeihamba as a mentor and thought leader whose influence extended across generations.
As proceedings continued, emotional tributes were delivered both in court and online, with the session being streamed live to allow broader participation from across the country and abroad.
Kanyeihamba’s passing marks the end of a formidable chapter in Uganda’s judicial and political history.
His voice, unafraid, principled, and eloquent, will be remembered not only for shaping landmark rulings but also for challenging the nation to uphold justice and constitutional order.
