Outgoing Nyendo-Mukungwe Member of Parliament and President of the Democratic Front (DF), Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba, has described the late Helen Nakimuli, the Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament as a “young, energetic, and hardworking, with a zeal and determination to better the lives of the people of the Ssese Islands.”
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, Mpuuga reflected on Nakimuli’s journey in public service, noting that her leadership potential was evident long before her entry into national politics.
“Those of us who followed her during the time she served as a Community Development Officer (CDO) in Bukebe, Bufumira, and Mazinga sub-counties of Kalangala District saw a promising leader,” he wrote.
Mpuuga added that when Nakimuli expressed interest in joining national politics, she received strong encouragement and support.
“When she started nursing ambitions of joining politics at the national level, we did not hesitate; we encouraged and supported her to join Parliament in 2021,” he said.
Mpuuga further highlighted her contributions in Parliament, where she served in his shadow cabinet as the Shadow Minister for Fisheries. In this role, he said, Nakimuli was a vocal advocate for fishing communities and consistently raised concerns about safety on Uganda’s lakes.
“She was very outspoken on issues concerning fishing communities and safety on the lakes. She was peaceful and never acrimonious or vengeful,” he noted.
Mpuuga expressed gratitude for her life and contributions, describing her as a leader who combined public service with excellence in sports.
“We thank the Almighty Lord for her life and the many talents she shared with us as a leader and a sportswoman,” he added.
“Deep commiserations to the family of Owek. Rev. Fr Christopher Walusimbi, her father; the Orthodox Faith that she professed; and the people of Ssese whom she served as MP. Eternal repose, Helen.”
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.