In the heart of Uganda, where the soil remembers, a lion of wisdom has taken his rest. Kiddu Makubuya, the learned giant full of wisdom of law is now silent and quiet, his journey is complete, but his legacy will always roar in the footprint of Uganda’s legal history.
From Luweero’s fields of coffee and bananas to the halls of law’s might, he roared with knowledge, a beacon of light. Today, the land weeps and the courtroom stands still. For the lion has left, but his spirit lingers still.
Kiddu Makubuya, a towering figure in Ugandan law, politics, and academia, has passed away today, Monday, at Nakasero Hospital. Once again, Makubuya’s legacy is one of intellectual rigor, political resilience, and dedicated public service.
Born on July 30, 1949, in Uganda, Kiddu Makubuya embarked on a journey of academic excellence that set the stage for his influential career. He earned his First Class Honors Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University in 1974, a rare achievement that marked the beginning of a lifelong dedication to the law. His pursuit of knowledge led him to Yale Law School, where he obtained both a Master of Laws degree in 1976 and a Doctor of Juridical Science in 1979.
Upon returning to Uganda, Makubuya joined the Law Development Center, completing his Diploma in Legal Practice in 1982. By 1985, he was enrolled as an advocate of the Uganda High Court, solidifying his place in the country’s legal profession. His academic career flourished at Makerere University, where he rose from a special assistant in 1974 to an associate professor by 1984, demonstrating his deep commitment to legal education.
Makubuya’s influence extended beyond the classroom. He played a pivotal role in shaping Uganda’s legal framework as a member of the Uganda Constitutional Commission, which was instrumental in drafting the 1995 Constitution of Uganda. His expertise also saw him serving as a member of the Commission of Inquiry into Violations of Human Rights and as the editor-in-chief of the Uganda Law Society Review between 1984 and 1987. His leadership was further recognized when he was appointed director of the Uganda Human Rights and Peace Center in 1995.
In 1988, Kiddu Makubuya ventured into politics, a move that would see him representing Katikamu County South, Luweero District, in the Ugandan Parliament. His political career was marked by a series of key ministerial appointments. He served as State Minister for Luweero Triangle, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Cooperation), and Minister of Education and Sports. In 2005, he was appointed Uganda’s Justice Minister and Attorney General, roles he held until 2011 when he became the Minister for General Duties in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Makubuya’s tenure in public office was not without controversy. In 2012, he resigned from the cabinet amid allegations of misappropriation of government funds. Despite this, his contributions to Uganda’s legal and political landscape remain undeniable.
Beyond his professional achievements, Makubuya was deeply involved in various administrative roles. He was an ex-officio member of the Uganda Law Council and the Management Committee of the Law Development Centre between 1981 and 1982. He also served on numerous committees at Makerere University, contributing to the governance and development of the institution.
Makubuya’s areas of research interest were vast, covering jurisprudence, family law, international law, law and development, human rights, land law, refugee law, constitutional law, and gender and law. His intellectual contributions in these fields have left an indelible mark on Uganda’s legal scholarship.
Today, Uganda grieves a lion now stilled, whose roar once thundered through justice’s halls, In academia’s quiet, and governance’s call. Kiddu Makubuya, a beacon bright and fulfilled, leaves a legacy that time cannot quell. Inspiring Ugandans, now and forever.
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