The late Justice Professor George Wilson Kanyeihamba, one of Uganda’s most celebrated legal minds, will be laid to rest on Tuesday, July 29, at his home in Buziga, Kampala.
The burial date was confirmed by Minister for the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda, who also chairs the National Organising Committee overseeing the official funeral arrangements.
Kanyeihamba, 86, passed away on July 14 at Nakasero Hospital. His death marked the end of a towering legacy in Uganda’s legal, academic, and political spheres.
In a statement released Wednesday, Minister Babalanda described the late judge as “an illustrious legal icon and politician who held several high positions in the academic, legal, and political arena.”
The official burial program will begin on Monday, July 28, with a church service at All Saints Cathedral at 9:00 AM. This will be followed by a vigil at Kabojja International School, Buziga, at 3:00 PM. The final funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, at the school grounds starting at 10:00 AM, before his interment.
Justice Kanyeihamba’s life and service spanned decades. Born on August 11, 1939, in Kinkizi County (now Kanungu District), he rose from modest beginnings to become one of the key architects of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, which he helped draft as chair of the Legal and Drafting Committee.
He served in multiple high-profile capacities, including as Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Supreme Court Judge, and later, as a pioneer judge on the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He was also Uganda’s first Presidential Advisor on Human Rights.
Beyond the courtroom, Kanyeihamba was a passionate academic and educationist. He lectured at Makerere University and Uganda Christian University and played a foundational role in establishing Kabale University and Kampala International University as key institutions of higher learning.
Minister Babalanda confirmed that security would be tightly coordinated throughout the official funeral events.
“All security agencies have been duly briefed and key deployments have been undertaken at all venues to secure both life and property of all mourners,” she said.
She added that the Uganda Police Force has been instructed to oversee all ceremonies, including a gun salute during burial.
“The neighborhood is encouraged to remain calm during the gun salute moment,” she noted.
“The Government of Uganda sincerely commiserates with the family, the legal and academic fraternity, the Banyakigezi, and the rest of Ugandans on the passing away of a national treasure,” Babalanda said.c
