Hellen Nakimuli, the Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament who passed away on Sunday, has been laid to rest in Luwero District.

Nakimuli died at Alexandria Medical Centre following unsuccessful surgery for fibroids. Her body arrived at her ancestral home in Lunyolya Village, Kalagala Sub-county, Luwero District, at around 3:30 pm on Thursday, after a funeral Mass held earlier at St. Nicolas Orthodox Cathedral in Namungoona.

She was accorded a three-gun salute as her body was lowered into the grave at 5:50 pm.

Before the burial, Members of Parliament, National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi (via audio message), representatives from Buganda Kingdom, and family members eulogised Nakimuli as a tenacious leader, a great sportswoman, and a strong voice for fishermen and the girl child.

In an audio message played to mourners, NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi said he was still in shock over Nakimuli’s sudden death.

He described her as a woman full of life, consistent, tenacious, and deeply dedicated to change, adding that she would be dearly missed.

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi noted that although Nakimuli was soft-spoken, she was outspoken on issues affecting her constituents and the people of Uganda.

He said she was highly committed to every duty assigned to her and served as a good ambassador for the Orthodox Church.

Ssenyonyi described her as an activist against corruption and a strong voice for the oppressed.]

Theodore Ssekikubo, the Lwemiyaga County Member of Parliament, said Nakimuli was the last surviving Orthodox MP in the incoming 12th Parliament, adding that her voice had now fallen silent.

Ssekikubo added that despite her allegiance to the National Unity Platform, Nakimuli was friendly to all MPs, including those from the NRM.

This unity was visibly displayed during her burial, where MPs from different political parties came together.

Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, the Information Minister of Buganda Kingdom, who represented Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, praised Nakimuli for championing the cause of the girl child and for her active contribution to the kingdom’s activities.

Nakimuli’s father, Rev. Christopher Walusimbi, thanked the mourners for standing with the family and asked them to continue praying for them.

Nakimuli was buried near five of her siblings who died earlier. She is survived by one daughter.