Makindye East Member of Parliament Derrick Nyeko has described the death of the late Helen Nakimuli, the former Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament as a “painful loss not only to her family and the people of Kalangala, but to all of us who had the privilege of serving alongside her in Parliament.”
Nakimuli passed away yesterday afternoon following an unsuccessful surgery at Alexandros Medical Centre.
She was 40.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Nyeko described the late Nakimuli as
“a God-fearing, humble, and devoted leader who truly loved her people.”
“She served with quiet strength, grace, and sincerity, always putting the needs of her constituents first. As a colleague and friend, I came to know her as a warm, respectful, and deeply committed public servant,” he wrote.
“We did not see this coming, and it makes the loss even more heartbreaking.”
Nyeko further extend his condolences to her family, the people of Kalangala, and the entire Parliamentary fraternity asking that the Lord grant comfort and strength during this difficult time.
Born on July 2, 1985, in Lukuba village, Kyamuswa sub-county in Kalangala District, Nakimuli was a prominent politician, legislator, and athlete.
She was the daughter of Christopher Walusimbi, a Greek Orthodox priest, and Maria Nalwanga Walusimbi, a former Kalangala District councillor.
She began her education at Bukasa Primary School before joining Hormisdallen Primary School in Bweyogerere.
Nakimuli later attended Our Lady of Good Counsel in Gayaza for her Ordinary Level and St. Augustine Secondary School in Wakiso for her Advanced Level, where she served as head girl. She went on to pursue higher education at Makerere University.
Nakimuli was a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and served in the 11th Parliament of Uganda as the Woman Representative for Kalangala District, having defeated Aidah Nabayiga in the 2021 elections. She also held the position of Head of Communication and Anti-Corruption within her party.
Beyond politics, Nakimuli was widely recognized for her contributions to sports, particularly volleyball. She had been a player since 1998 and captained the women’s volleyball team during the East Africa Parliamentary Games in Arusha, Tanzania. She was also affiliated with COBAP Volleyball Club.
In her community work, Nakimuli supported widows in securing legal assistance in property disputes, donated relief items such as food and soap to the elderly, and extended aid to families affected by house fires. She also advocated for the inclusion of island districts like Buvuma and Namayingo in government funding programs such as Emyooga.
Nakimuli was further honored with an ecclesiastical medal by His Divine Beatitude Theodore II of Alexandria in recognition of her service to the Orthodox Church, Uganda, and humanity.
According to the funeral arrangements released by Parliament the body is expected to be transported to Kalangala District via Entebbe, with a ferry departure scheduled for 2pm ahead of a local government sitting on Tuesday.
The body will later be transported back to Kampala for an overnight vigil at the family home.
Parliament will hold a formal tribute and vigil on Wednesday, April 22, during which the late legislator will lie in state at Parliament. Thereafter, there’ll be a second tribute at the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters at Makerere, Kavule.
Burial will take place in Thursday, April 22, in Luwero following a mass at St. Nicholas Cathedral, Namungoona.
