Parliament Prepares Special Tribute as Funeral Cortege for Nakimuli Departs Island District

As a ferry prepares to transport the body of former Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament, Helen Nakimuli, across Lake Victoria today, Parliament has released detailed funeral arrangements that reflect both solemn tradition and the unique geographical realities of the island district. Speaker Anita Annet Among, on Monday, outlined Parliament’s constitutional role in honoring its members, while also underscoring the broader significance of Nakimuli’s contribution to women’s representation and opposition politics in Uganda.

Nakimuli, 40, died on April 18, 2026, at Alexandros Medical Centre in Kampala following complications from elective surgery. Her passing, confirmed by National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, as “terrible, shocking news,” has sparked widespread grief across political divides. Born on July 2, 1985, in Lukuba Village, Kyamuswa Sub-county, Kalangala District, Nakimuli was a former volleyball player and a vocal advocate for women, youth, and hard-to-reach island communities. Popularly known as “Mama Kalangala” and the “Pearl of Kalangala,” she built a strong grassroots connection with her constituents.

Recently re-elected for a second term and serving as NUP’s Shadow Minister for Information, she championed improved healthcare access, education, and anti-corruption efforts—issues that strongly resonated in the Ssese Islands, where Lake Victoria’s waters both connect and isolate communities. The official programme, issued under the Speaker’s office, outlines a multi-day schedule shaped by both logistical considerations and parliamentary protocol:

On Monday, April 20, 2026, following the postmortem report, the cortege will depart Kalangala District via Nakiwogo, Entebbe, with the ferry scheduled to leave at 2:00 p.m. On Tuesday, April 21, a special session of the Kalangala District Council and a public viewing will be held, after which the body will be transported to Kampala via the Masaka route for an overnight stay at the funeral home.

On Wednesday, April 22, the body will lie in state at Parliament for public viewing, followed by a special sitting to pay tribute. It will then proceed to the NUP Party Headquarters in Makerere Kavule before an official vigil at the family residence in Namungoona, Kampala. On Thursday, April 23, a funeral service will be held at Namungoona Orthodox Church, followed by burial at her ancestral home in Luweero District.

“The Parliament of Uganda stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and the people of Kalangala District. We honour the legacy of a dedicated legislator and tireless advocate for her people. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” Speaker Among said in a statement. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa also joined in leading the mourning, describing Nakimuli as a committed legislator whose loss “deeply wounds the House.”Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has been actively involved in coordinating the party’s response and addressed the media following the postmortem at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Fellow Members of Parliament, including Mathias Mpuuga, described the news as devastating. Leaders across the political divide, as well as cultural figures such as Buganda’s Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, paid tribute to Nakimuli as a dedicated and exceptional leader.

Such reactions mirror previous parliamentary tributes, including the 2025 special sitting held in honour of the late MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, where lawmakers reflected on public service and the rule of law. Under Article 78 of the Constitution, Uganda’s affirmative action system guarantees one woman Member of Parliament per district. In the 11th Parliament, 146 seats are reserved under this arrangement, contributing to women making up approximately 34 percent of the 556-member House—one of the highest proportions in Africa.Special parliamentary sittings for tributes, guided by the Rules of Procedure, go beyond ceremonial practice; they reinforce democratic values by publicly recognizing the contributions of elected leaders, even amid political differences between the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and opposition parties such as NUP. Nakimuli’s death comes at a critical time for Kalangala, where the island setting—dependent on ferry transport—reflects the very access challenges she consistently sought to address.Her final appearance in Parliament on April 15, where she critiqued a government report on Hoima City Stadium, underscored the oversight role that defines legislative service.