Mama Kalangala: Parliament bids farewell to Hellen Nakimuli, a warm and compassionate legislator 

There are leaders whose impact is measured in years, and there are those whose legacy transcends time. Hon. Hellen Nakimuli belonged firmly to the latter.

On a solemn day at the Parliament of Uganda, a hushed stillness engulfed the grounds as a cortege bearing her remains arrived for a special sitting in her honour.

Draped in the national colours, her casket was received at the parliamentary south parking lot by Members of Parliament led by Speaker Anita Annet Among. It was a moment heavy with grief, but also rich in remembrance of a life defined by service.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja moved the motion to pay tribute, describing Nakimuli as a hardworking and vocal legislator whose commitment to the welfare of island communities never wavered.

To her constituents in Kalangala, she was more than a representative—she was “Mama Kalangala.” The name, Nabbanja noted, reflected her warmth, accessibility, and unwavering devotion to her people scattered across the islands of Lake Victoria.

Her journey into leadership began long before Parliament. From 2013 to 2020, Nakimuli served as a Community Development Officer in Kalangala District, working at the grassroots to uplift livelihoods.

When she entered Parliament in 2021 under the banner of the National Unity Platform, she carried that same community-first ethos into national politics.

Within the House, she quickly distinguished herself. She served as Shadow Minister for Agriculture between 2021 and 2023, later taking on the role of Shadow Minister for ICT and Anti-Corruption.

Colleagues recall a legislator who spoke with evidence, conviction, and calm authority.

Speaker Among described her as compassionate and down-to-earth—a leader who debated without confrontation but with clarity and purpose.

“Her legacy would make many think she has been an MP for a long time, yet she has only been here for one term,” she reflected.

Beyond the chamber, Nakimuli’s influence extended into sports—a passion she turned into a platform for unity and mentorship.

As captain of Parliament’s volleyball team, she led them to back-to-back championships at the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games.

She also played netball and basketball, contributing significantly to Parliament’s sporting success over the years.

Her leadership on the court mirrored her politics: disciplined, collaborative, and driven by a deep sense of purpose.

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi praised her steadfast commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.

In both her legislative and personal life, Nakimuli stood firmly for principles that strengthened democratic practice.

As tributes poured in, Members of Parliament and colleagues from the parliamentary sports team laid wreaths on her casket, each a quiet acknowledgment of a life that had touched many spheres: politics, community development, gender advocacy, and sport.

In a gesture of solidarity, Speaker Among announced contributions toward Nakimuli’s family, including support from the President, parliamentary leaders, and various caucuses. Parliament also committed to covering all burial expenses, with funds directed toward her child.

In a particularly poignant moment, the Speaker revealed that school fees for Nakimuli’s child had been secured up to Senior Four, a promise that her legacy of care would endure beyond her lifetime.

As the special sitting drew to a close, one truth stood clear: Hon. Hellen Nakimuli’s story is not one of a life cut short, but one lived fully in service.

In the islands of Kalangala, in the halls of Parliament, and on the volleyball court where she once rallied her team to victory, her spirit lingers, a reminder that leadership is not measured by tenure, but by impact.

And in that regard, “Mama Kalangala” leaves behind a legacy that will endure for generations.