Uganda will bid a final farewell to one of its most iconic legal minds, Prof. George Wilson Kanyeihamba, on Tuesday, July 29, when the retired Supreme Court Justice will be laid to rest at his home in Buziga, Kampala.
Kanyeihamba, who passed away on July 15 at the age of 85, leaves behind a towering legacy that spans constitutional law, human rights advocacy, and public service.
His Buziga residence a quiet haven where he spent his later years reflecting on justice and shaping legal thought will become his final resting place.
A series of national and private tributes have been lined up in the days leading to his burial, reflecting the depth of influence the former jurist held across Uganda’s legal, academic, and political landscapes.
The first of these commemorations begins Wednesday, July 23, with a special Supreme Court session at the Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala, where judicial officers will honour Kanyeihamba’s immense contributions to the legal profession and his central role in the drafting of the 1995 Constitution.
On Friday, July 25, mourners will gather at his Buziga home from 11 a.m. for a private memorial service, featuring reflections from close friends, family members, and long-time associates. The gathering will offer a personal look into the life of a man who was both a fierce defender of justice and a deeply thoughtful scholar.
The official church service will be held on Monday, July 28, at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero beginning at 9 a.m. That evening, a public vigil will take place at Kabojja International School, where guests from the legal fraternity, academic institutions, and public service are expected to pay their respects.
The final public ceremony will take place on the morning of Tuesday, July 29, at Kabojja Grounds, starting at 10 a.m., before his remains are escorted to Buziga for burial.
Prof. Kanyeihamba’s legacy spans decades his legal philosophy and landmark rulings continue to shape constitutional discourse in Uganda. Even after his retirement from the Supreme Court in 2009, he remained an active voice, defending constitutionalism and speaking out against injustice with unflinching resolve.
