Norman Tumuhimbise Criticises Judicial Competence, Citing Lessons from Late Justice Kanyeihamba
KAMPALA — Political activist and author Norman Tumuhimbise has issued a scathing critique of sections of Uganda’s judiciary, drawing on his close friendship and professional interactions with the late Justice George Wilson Kanyeihamba to question the competence and integrity of some judges.
In a detailed statement, Tumuhimbise recounted a conversation with Justice Kanyeihamba, who served on Uganda’s Supreme Court, in which the jurist remarked that some of the least capable law graduates eventually find their way into the judiciary through political connections. According to Kanyeihamba, these individuals are often “too dull” to thrive in private legal practice but enjoy protection within state structures.
Tumuhimbise further claimed that Kanyeihamba had once exposed a senior judge for allegedly forging large portions of his PhD thesis at Makerere University. Despite informing the university senate and refusing to endorse the work, Kanyeihamba later witnessed the judge graduate, describing him as “untouchable” due to his political backing.
The activist emphasised Kanyeihamba’s belief that judges should combine both legal knowledge and logical reasoning when delivering rulings, criticising those who rely solely on technicalities. He cited as an example the handling of abduction cases, where victims are detained by military or intelligence agencies for prolonged periods before being handed to police, yet courts still treat the custody period as compliant with the law.
Referring to a recent court decision denying bail to veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, Tumuhimbise accused the presiding judge of ignoring the fact that Besigye had been in state custody for 180 days, dismissing his time under the General Court Martial as if it were not part of the judicial system.
Tumuhimbise likened such judicial blind spots to “pig-like fat in the neck” that blocks the view of the “legal sky,” asserting that some judges “use their bottom to reason” when making decisions.
He signed off identifying himself as “a four-time state abductee, author of seven books, and son to RA 013490 — the longest-serving army sergeant in Uganda’s history.”
