Some residents of Rubanda District in southwestern Uganda have expressed disappointment over the decision to bury retired Supreme Court Justice Prof. George Wilson Kanyeihamba in Kampala, rather than at his ancestral home in Muzirante Village.
Community leaders and neighbors say they were denied a chance to mourn the late jurist in line with cultural traditions and to honour his legacy in the region. The burial, scheduled to take place at his residence in Buziga, Makindye Division, Kampala, has stirred debate among locals who hoped he would be laid to rest in Rubanda.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
Luciano Katurebe, chairperson of Muzirante Village and a distant relative of the late judge, said the decision deprived residents of an opportunity to pay their last respects and showcase the community’s connection to a nationally respected figure.
“Prof. Kanyeihamba was a pillar of development in this village. He built the first permanent house here and personally funded a 3km access road linking Muzirante to Nyamasizi. A burial here would have brought in dignitaries and attention to our area,” said Mr Katurebe, who has served as village chairperson for three decades.
He added that the burial in Kampala also meant that many villagers would miss the ceremony due to the long distance and travel costs, despite the family arranging transport for a few representatives.
Neighbors Maria Mateeka and Fortunate Kwarigabo echoed similar sentiments, saying the ceremony would have allowed local residents to honor the memory of a man who brought pride to their village.
“If the burial had taken place here, it would have elevated Muzirante’s visibility both nationally and internationally. Local service providers could have also benefited economically,” said Ms. Kwarigabo.
Ms. Mateeka noted that the news of a burial outside Kanyeihamba’s ancestral land felt culturally unfamiliar, especially given that his parents are buried in Muzirante.
According to the burial program issued by Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda, Justice Kanyeihamba will be laid to rest at his Buziga home on Thursday. President Yoweri Museveni has accorded him an official burial.
The former judge, who passed away recently, had previously expressed his wish to be buried in the city, citing Buziga as his long-time residence.
“Why should I leave this place in death, when this is where I have been living ever since I returned to Uganda?” he remarked in an earlier interview.
Justice Kanyeihamba is remembered as a prominent figure in Uganda’s legal and political landscape. He played a significant role in shaping the 1995 Constitution and leaves behind a legacy that has influenced generations of Ugandan jurists.
Also Read: Amama Mbabazi’s Daughter Wanted Over Unpaid Shs 450m Loan
