Justice Kenneth Kakuru lost the battle to prostate cancer on Tuesday 7, March 2023 at Agha Khan hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.
The fallen judge who was highly eulogized by a many as a distinguished legal colussus who executed his role with utmost passion and loyalty was buried earlier on in the daily today.
Kakuru was mostly known in the public domain in 2018 during the hearing of the lifting of the Presidential Age limit - which had been capped at 75 years!
In the much celebrated judgement, Kakuru dissented from the majority by annulling the Ammendment - thereby becoming a hero to the seemingly majority Ugandans who did not support the Ammendment!
Earlier before his death, Kakuru had asked for an early retirement citing ill health. According to him, he did not want to continue getting salary amid low service delivery!
According to the Chief Justice Alfonso Owiny Dollo, the Judiciary spent over 800 millions on treating the fallen Justice in the past 2 years both locally and abroad.
His Background
Born in 1958, Kakuru is the son of Rev Eliakim Kamujanduzi, an elder and senior educationist and Roza Kamujanduzi.
He studied law at Makerere University, graduating with a Bachelor of Law. He held a master of Law from the same university and a postgraduate diploma in legal practice from the Law Development Centre in Kampala.
He also held a master’s degree in educational policy planning and development from Kyambogo University.
He has been a member of professional groups such as the Uganda Law Society, the East African Law Society, the Environmental LawAlliance Worldwide, and the International Bar Association.
He founded Kakuru and Company Advocates, a law firm that is known to have contributed to the country’s environmental jurisprudence majorly through public interest litigation.
He was appointed a judge of the court of appeal in 2013, a position he held until his untimely passing. He was known for his humour while presiding over judicial matters.
His Send off
A special session was held at the High Court on Thursday 09th March 2023 starting at 02:00pm and thereafter followed by Vigil at the deceased’s residence in Buziga – Fred Kambugu close.
There was also another funeral service at All Saints Church Nakasero on Friday 10th March 2023 starting at 09:00am where the the body left for the final vigil in Rwebushuri – Mbarara.
Burial took place at Rwebushuri on Saturday 11th March 2023 starting with a Funeral Service at St. James Catherdral Ruharo at 10:00am.
He is survived by his wife, Charity Kakuru, four daughters; Samantha, Tracy, Rose, Ruth and twin sons Eriakim Nate Namara Kakuru and Joshua Ethan Narinda Kato.
