President Museveni Pays Tribute to the Late Prof. George Kanyeihamba
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today visited the home of the late Prof. George Wilson Kanyeihamba in Buziga, Kampala, to extend his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and honor the legacy of the distinguished retired Supreme Court Judge.
Prof. Kanyeihamba, aged 85, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, at Nakasero Hospital after a prolonged illness. A revered legal scholar and staunch advocate for constitutionalism, human rights, and judicial independence, Prof. Kanyeihamba played a pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s legal landscape, including his instrumental contribution to drafting the 1995 Constitution.
The President was warmly received by Prof. Kanyeihamba’s widow, Susan née Randall Kanyeihamba, and their children, Joel Matsiko and Nyakwezi. In his address, President Museveni expressed deep sorrow at the passing of a man he regarded not just as a legal icon but as a comrade in Uganda’s liberation struggle.
“I am grateful to have known and worked with Prof. Kanyeihamba,” President Museveni said. “He was a vital contributor to Uganda’s liberation journey. At a time when identity politics threatened the nation, he aligned with us in championing politics of interest. That is why I came here personally—to honor his legacy and convey condolences from the NRM and my family.”
The president reminisced about his first encounter with the late professor during a historic debate at Makerere University in the late 1960s, which featured intellectual giants like Prof. Ali Mazrui and Prof. Walter Rodney.
“I first met Kanyeihamba in either 1969 or 1970 at Makerere University during a major intellectual debate. He was already a prominent legal mind at the time,” Museveni recalled.
He noted that their paths crossed again in 1979 following the ousting of Idi Amin, when Prof. Lule appointed Kanyeihamba to the cabinet. Museveni later encountered him in the UK during the 1981 liberation struggle, where Kanyeihamba was part of the external committee supporting the cause.
“When the NRM took power, Kanyeihamba joined our ranks. He represented Rubanda in the expanded National Resistance Council (NRC) and later served as a High Court Judge,” the President added.
Also present during the visit were former Prime Ministers Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda and Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, who both paid glowing tributes to Prof. Kanyeihamba, celebrating his lifelong service to justice, democracy, and the nation.
