He had both the original and amended constitutions and would always wonder why leaders bypassed Parliament’s role in approving changes
According to Norman Tumuhimbise, head of the Kanyeihamba Foundation and a close friend of the late professor, Kanyeihamba often questioned why Uganda’s Constitution was repeatedly amendeddespite being carefully crafted to balance power.
“He had both the original and amended constitutions and would always wonder why leaders bypassed Parliament’s role in approving changes,” Tumuhimbise revealed. “He believed the 1995 Constitution was strong enough if properly followed.”
Prof. Kanyeihamba was a tireless campaigner for justice, famously challenging the illegal detention of Ugandans without trial. Tumuhimbise recalled how the late professor spoke out against the arrest of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and many others denied their right to fair hearings.
“He despised the abuse of human rights and always stood for the rule of law,” Tumuhimbise added.
The professor’s family, currently abroad, is working with longtime friend Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugundaand the Ugandan government to finalize burial plans. As per his wishes, he will be laid to rest at his home in Buziga, Kampala.
Prof. Kanyeihamba’s death marks the end of an era for Uganda’s legal fraternity. A former Supreme Court Justice, he played a pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s judiciary and constitutionalism. His critiques of governance and unwavering stand for justice earned him respect—and sometimes controversy.
As tributes pour in, many remember him not just as a brilliant legal mind, but as a patriot who believed in a Uganda governed by law, not political convenience.
