Retired Ugandan Supreme Court judge and prominent legal scholar Prof George Kanyeihamba has died, according to a source close to the family.
The circumstances of his death were not immediately confirmed by Monday morning, but his personal assistant, identified only as Denis, said he died at “Nakasero Hospital, where he had been in the ICU for some time.”
“Yes, he is no more… he has gone,” a sobbing Denis told the media in a brief telephone interview.
Born August 11, 1939, Prof Kanyeihamba was a towering figure in Uganda’s legal and academic circles, famed for his strong defence of constitutionalism and human rights.
He served on the Supreme Court and held senior positions in President Museveni’s government, before later becoming one of the veteran Ugandan leader’s outspoken critics, particularly on constitutional matters.
“Prof Kanyeihamba dedicated his life to serving the nation through various cabinet positions, his role on the bench, and his legal practice. May the good Lord provide comfort to all those who are grieving and grant his soul eternal rest,” Parliament Speaker Anita Among eulogized on X, formerly Twitter.
After serving on the Supreme Court from 1997 to 2009, he largely maintained a low public profile in recent years, though he occasionally voiced critical opinions on national issues amid persistent reports of declining health due to advanced age.
More details about funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.
