The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa have led Members of Parliament in paying tribute to Kalangala District Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli, who passed away following complications from surgery.
Nakimuli died on April 19, 2026, after undergoing an unsuccessful surgical procedure at Alexandra Medical Center, according to officials from her party, the National Unity Platform.
She had been elected in 2021 on the NUP ticket and served as Shadow Minister for Information. Just days before her death, on April 13, she had spoken strongly in Parliament on issues related to human rights.
Tributes to the late legislator poured in across political lines. NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi described her death as “terrible and shocking,” while Speaker Anita Among expressed deep sorrow at the loss.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa said Parliament is most deeply affected when it loses one of its own colleagues.
Former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Mathias Mpuuga described Nakimuli’s death as devastating, saying she was energetic, hardworking, and committed to improving the lives of her constituents.
He added that she was known for her calm and non-confrontational character in Parliament.
The late MP’s body was taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital for postmortem examination.
Government Chief Whip Hamson Denis Obua also paid tribute, highlighting her passion for sports including netball, basketball, and volleyball, noting that she inspired many through her athletic involvement.
In her final parliamentary contribution on April 15, 2026, Nakimuli had questioned the Minister responsible about delays in the construction of Hoima City Stadium ahead of a CAF inspection.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya also described her passing as a tragedy.
Born on July 2, 1985, in Lukuba Village, Kyamuswa Sub-county in Kalangala District, Nakimuli was the daughter of Greek Orthodox priest Christopher Walusimbi and Maria Nalwanga Walusimbi, a former local councillor.
She studied at Bukasa Primary School, Hormisdallen Primary School, Our Lady of Good Counsel Gayaza for O-Level, and St Augustine Secondary School in Wakiso District, where she served as head girl.
She later joined Makerere University, where she studied Social Sciences.
Beyond politics, Nakimuli had a long sporting career, playing volleyball since 1998 and captaining the women’s volleyball team at the East Africa Parliamentary Games in Arusha, Tanzania. She was also associated with COBAP Volleyball Club.
She was also honoured with an ecclesiastical medal by Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria in recognition of her service to the Orthodox Church, Uganda, and humanity.
