25/07/2025
Prof. George Kanyeihamba: A Titan of the Struggle and Voice of Conscience Remembered.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni made a solemn visit to the home of the late Professor George Wilson Kanyeihamba in Bugiza to pay tribute to one of Uganda’s most formidable legal minds and a towering figure in the country’s political and constitutional journey.
The President, while addressing mourners and Kanyeihamba’s family, reflected on the transformative impact of Christianity in the region and the enduring legacy left by Prof. Kanyeihamba through his children and grandchildren.
“We, the people of this area, received a new idea with the arrival of Christianity: that when we die, we go to heaven. Before that concept, our belief was in eternity through our children,” President Museveni said. “I was happy to see the resurrection through the children and grandchildren that Kanyeihamba has left behind.”
A Life Dedicated to Justice and National Progress
Prof. Kanyeihamba, who passed away earlier this week, was not only a Supreme Court Justice and constitutional law scholar, but also a bold voice during Uganda’s defining moments. His contribution to the liberation struggle was not through arms, but through ideas, legal frameworks, and a persistent insistence on justice, rule of law, and governance by principle rather than convenience.
“He was one of the contributors to the struggle who emphasized the politics of interests over identity,” Museveni noted. “I, therefore, salute his contributions and valued input. I extend the condolences of the NRM and my family. May his soul rest in peace.”
A Legacy of Independent Thought
While remembered as an NRM historical and a trusted legal advisor during the drafting of the 1995 Constitution, Kanyeihamba was equally known for his fierce independence and consistent criticism of excesses in governance — including from within the very system he once helped build.
He became a rare voice of dissent within establishment circles, especially in later years, openly criticizing corruption, the erosion of constitutionalism, and the politicization of the judiciary.
In a political environment often short of internal critique, Kanyeihamba stood out as a symbol of principled resistance, courageously defending democracy and human rights. He never shied away from confronting the ruling elite, and frequently reminded the nation that the constitution was a covenant between the rulers and the ruled, not a tool for perpetuating power.
Tributes from Across the Spectrum
Tributes have poured in from legal professionals, academia, civil society, and politicians across party lines, all acknowledging the depth of Kanyeihamba’s intellect, his commitment to public service, and his refusal to be silenced.
“He was a man who lived by conviction,” said one former student. “He taught us that to love your country is not to agree with everything it does, but to hold it accountable to the ideals it claims to uphold.”
Kanyeihamba’s legacy remains etched in Uganda’s legal and political history. His writings, particularly on constitutionalism, continue to influence generations of scholars and jurists.
As Uganda lays to rest one of its most brilliant minds, the country also grapples with the questions he never stopped asking — about power, justice, democracy, and the future of the republic he loved so deeply.
May his legacy continue to speak truth to power.
