Uganda is mourning the loss of one of its most principled and influential legal minds, Prof George Wilson Kanyeihamba, who passed away at the age of 85.

He died at Nakasero Hospital, where he had been receiving intensive care. His death was confirmed by a family member.

Born on August 11, 1939, in Kinaba, Kigezi region, Kanyeihamba rose from modest beginnings to become a towering figure in Uganda’s legal, academic, and political life. He studied law at Portsmouth University and earned a PhD in Law from the University of Warwick, which later conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Prof Kanyeihamba first entered Uganda’s public life as a Member of Parliament and played a pivotal role as Chair of the Legal Committee during the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution; a foundational document he helped shape with enduring impact.

He later held several key ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Commerce and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. He also represented Uganda at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and later as a judge on the African Court, where his voice extended beyond national boundaries.

In 1997, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Uganda, where he served with distinction for 12 years until his retirement in 2009. On the bench, he became known for his fearless independence, especially in delivering dissenting opinions that championed constitutionalism, human rights, and legal ethics. Notably, in 2006, he was among the justices who ruled that President Museveni’s re-election had not met constitutional standards an opinion that many believe cost him a second term at the African Court.

Beyond the courtroom, Kanyeihamba was a revered academic, teaching law at Makerere University and several international institutions. His scholarly works on constitutional and international law remain widely referenced by students and legal practitioners across Africa.

He also served as Chancellor of Kampala International University and Kabale University, mentoring generations of legal professionals.

Even after retirement, Prof. Kanyeihamba remained a prominent public intellectual—never hesitant to speak truth to power. He criticized institutional overreach, defended judicial independence, and continued advocating for good governance through public commentary and legal writings.

As tributes pour in from across Uganda and beyond, Prof. George Kanyeihamba is being remembered not just for his titles and positions, but for his unwavering defense of the rule of law; a legacy that will outlive him.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among extended sympathy on behalf of Parliament and herself to the family, friends, and relatives of the renowned jurist.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has mourned the passing of Prof George Kanyeihamba, describing him as a towering figure whose contributions to Uganda’s legal and political landscape will never be forgotten.

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) also confirmed his death eulogizing his enduring legacy which will continue to inspire lawyers and judges for generations to come.

“We must honor his memory by steadfastly upholding the values of truth and justice that he passionately championed throughout his life,” the Society said on X.

Funeral arrangements will be communicated by the family in due course.