July 14, 2025 will always been remembered as one of the colds in our history, early morning sad news of the demise of the legal giant and the law moving encyclopedia, Retired Justice Prof. George Wilson Kanyeihamba bowed out.
Dedicated with the conviction, Prof. Kanyeihamba served his country diligently and rightly ignoring the earthly treasures from the leaders who love to be praised;
At a personal level, I became known and close to him during my university days as a law students, he mentored before I could later be part of his legal team and at some point, he could randomly call me to drive him whenever his official driver would be away.
I knew him not only as a statesman, a profound lawyer and a respected judge but I got closer and treated me as his grandchild.
He was a rule of law and Constitutional defender champion and advocate who always condemned unprofessional lawyering.
Used to attack lawyers who use the profession for personal gains at the expense of the vulnerable and cheating.
His open fight against corruption among lawyers, judicial officers and other government officials and he did not fear to call them out.
Prof. Kanyeihamba loved to share the knowledge, those who got closer to him had a share of the same and at some point, he could force you to read his publications, if you lied that you ever read his books, he would ask for the specific title and pause questions out of the said literature, failure to explain, meant a blast from him., he was wanted readers regardless of the profession.
Professor openly called for accountability, rule of law and respect for Human rights and freedoms of all irrespective of the political indifference, gender or race. His understanding of the law would help one to copy from his deeds and would not leave you the same.
After the 2021 general elections, in one of the discussions I had with him, he brought the discussions about the incompetent judges that did not know what to do when Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Petitioned the Supreme Court to nullify the election of President Museveni. We read together Art 104 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda that talks about findings not judgment in the Presidential election petitions.
After the discussion, it prompted me to find out more and came up with the research paper on the Substantiality test in election petitions. He opened my eyes to that angle.
Lessons from his deeds.
If we want and willing to add a brick to the development of the rule of law, good governance and Constitutionalism in Uganda his literature in over thirty nine (39) published books, articles, columns, opinions and journals are enough to guide us.
Our conviction should be for each one of us to do their best, impact one another before we leave, and learn to appreciate people when they can be able to listen and not after they are no more.
Professor, lived to impact many lives and he never survived like many today do. His legacy shall live forever.
Rest Thee Well Prof.
Till we meet again
Kato Tumusiime,
Ugandan Lawyer, Prof. Kanyeihamba’s mentee, part time driver and personal lawyer.