By KT Reporter
The Special Supreme Court on Wednesday held a special session pay tribute to the Late Hon. Justice George Wilson Kanyeihamba, retired Justice of the Supreme Court. Justice Kanyeihamba, who passed away on July 14, at the age of 85 was a Justice of the Supreme Court between from 1997–2009.
He played a pivotal role in drafting Uganda’s 1995 Constitution having chaired the legal and drafting committee at the Constituent Assembly.
The session held at Judiciary Headquarters in Kampala. The Supreme Court panel was led by the Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny – Dollo. Other Justices on the panel were ; Lady Justice Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza, Lady Justice Percy Night Tuhaise, Justice Mike Chibita, Justice Stephen Musota, Lady Justice Catherine K. Bamugemereire and Justice Kibeedi Muzamiru Mutangula.
The session begun with the submission of an application seeking an order from the Supreme court to grants Judicial officers, members of the Legal fraternity, staff of the judiciary, family members and friends of Late Professor George Wilson Kanyiehamba to commemorate the distinguished service he rendered to the Judiciary of Uganda.
The application which was submitted by the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka also sought an order that the proceedings of the session do form a permanent record of the Supreme Court.
The application was supported by an affidavit sworn by Pamela Lamunu Ocaya, the Acting Chief Registrar of the Judiciary of Uganda.
Kiryowa Kiwanuka said the grounds of the application were set out in the motion that Professor Kanyeihamba was a distinguished justice of the Supreme Court who diligently served as Supreme Court judge from 1997 to 11th August 2009.
“Hon Justice Kanyeihamba has been described by many as an out spoken, fearless and formidable principal sage of the law. He lived a life devoted to Justice and search for the truth” said Kiwanuka.
In Pamela Lamunu’s affidavit, it was set out that Professor Kanyiehamba greatly contributed to the legal education sector in his capacity as professor of law, a lecturer at a number of higher institutions of learning with in Uganda and beyond.
Kanyeihamba was a lecturer at the Uganda Law School which later renamed became Law Development Centre between 1966 and 68. He was the chairperson of the Judge’s Committee o ethics and integrity.
The session in honor of Kanyihamba provided an opportunity for the Bar and Bench to meet. The bar and bench have been at loggerheads for almost seven months.
The Uganda Law Society President is currently in exile following the disagreement.
As the legal fraternity mourned Kanyeihamba, the Uganda Law Society appeared in the Court as a respondent in the petition. Asiimwe Anthony, the Vice President of Uganda Law Society appeared before the court as the respondent. Asiimwe said professor Kanyeihamba was more than a judge.
“He was a consummate politician who stood unyielding for justice, constitutionalism and the rule of law” he said.
In ruling on the petition, the Chief Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny – Dollo said the Supereme court has before in the cases of late Justice Rubby Opio Aweri and late Justice Stella Arach Amoko granted leave to judicial officers and staff of the judiciary leave to commemorate life and contribution of Hon Justice Rubby Opio Aweri and Justice Stella Arach Amoko for the distinguished service they rendered to people of Uganda.
Chief Justice, Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny – Dollo later described Professor Kanyeihamba as a mentor and legal icon. “Justice Kanyeihamba’s illustrious career as teacher, politician and judge as well his outstanding academic qualifications has significantly legal landscape and jurisprudence. The Judiciary is proud of him and will forever remember him.”
Justice Kanyeihamba had expressed his wish that Hon. Justice Frederick Martin Stephen Egonda-Ntende, a Justices of the Court of Appeal of Uganda speaks on at the special session in his honor.
Dr. Egonda-Ntende said he first came to know Kanyeihamba via his book Constitutional and political History of Uganda From 1894 To the Present.
“I met and came to know George when he joined Supreme Court of Uganda. And I was a judge of the High Court of Uganda. We became colleagues and friends. In the late nineties, we often had lunch together. We often discussed many things mainly about the judiciary and its role, in our nation” he revealed.
“George retired from the Supreme Court at the compulsory age for leaving office. He went on to start his own practice of law. Ordinarily, much as this is not a regulated area, a judge returning to practice is frowned upon or barred in some jurisdictions. It can be a minefield straddling communication between a former judge now advocate before his or her former colleagues that remain on the bench” remarked Dr. Egonda-Ntende.
The Acting Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga, said it was befitting o pay tributeto a remarkable and distinguished individual whose dedication to justice and unwavering commitment to rule of Law.
“He has left an indelible mark on our legal system and beyond. His life is an inspiring story and a reflection of authenticity. A man who was true to himself, resilience, hard work and courage”said Okuo Kajuga
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