KAMPALA, Uganda — In what seemed a grim coincidence, the weather was gloomy Wednesday morning as lawmakers and parliamentary staff paced somberly, awaiting the arrival of the remains of Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Helen Nakimuli.
Nakimuli died April 19, 2026, at a private hospital in Kampala. She was 48.
Speaker Anita Among, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, and several MPs received the casket at 10 a.m. at Parliament’s South wing parking.
Before the hearse arrived, Nakimuli’s father, Orthodox Church priest Rev. Father Christopher Walusimbi, and close family members entered the grounds, drawing visible sympathy from mourners.
A devoted sportswoman, the late MP captained Parliament’s women’s volleyball team and also played netball and basketball. The hearse was escorted by members of the sports fraternity, who mounted a guard of honor from Parliament’s main gate.
Most mourners dressed in black crowded the Parliament foyer, where Nakimuli’s remains lie in state for public viewing. Many wept openly.
Speaker Among and Deputy Speaker Tayebwa offered condolences to Nakimuli’s family before signing a condolence book.
Nakimuli’s last plenary appearance was April 15, when she challenged Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang to ensure Uganda is ready to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“We have a deadline of August; Confederation of African Football officials are coming back in August — you have said government will do this and that, have you given us a deadline on when you will be ready?” Nakimuli asked. “Will this time be enough, especially in Hoima stadium?”
Lawmakers and staff from various sports teams walked alongside the hearse carrying Nakimuli’s body.
She will return to the House later Wednesday at 2 p.m., this time lying lifeless in the casket as legislators pay tribute.
