The Minister of State for Agriculture in charge of Fisheries, Hellen Adoa, on Wednesday led Parliament in paying tribute to the late former Ngora District Woman Member of Parliament, Stella Apolot Isodo, describing her as a committed legislator who consistently championed the welfare of women and the education of the girl child.
Adoa, who was standing in as Leader of Government Business, moved the motion during a special sitting of Parliament chaired by Speaker Anita Among.
Isodo passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Kampala Hospital, where she had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit while awaiting surgery following a brief illness.
Addressing Parliament, Adoa said Isodo’s time in public office was marked by a strong focus on socio-economic transformation, particularly for women in rural communities.
“Stella Apolot Isodo was a distinguished legislator and leader who served her nation with commitment and worked diligently as the Woman Member of Parliament for Ngora District from 2022 until her passing,” Adoa, who is also the Serere District Woman MP, told the House.
She described Isodo as a unifying figure who worked across divides to advance development priorities in the Teso sub-region.
“She fostered unity and built consensus on key issues, while remaining a tireless advocate for women’s empowerment and the education of the girl child,” Adoa said.
According to the minister, Isodo played an active role in promoting financial inclusion and self-reliance among women engaged in subsistence farming, helping many access government programmes aimed at improving household incomes and livelihoods.
The special sitting followed the formal communication of Isodo’s death by Speaker Among, who announced the development earlier through her official X (formerly Twitter) account, noting that the legislator had been battling a short illness.
Born on October 25, 1974, Isodo was elected Ngora District Woman MP on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket in the 2021 general elections, after winning the party’s primaries in August 2020.
An agriculturalist by training, she became a prominent voice on matters affecting women, agriculture and rural development during her time in Parliament.
Before her death, Isodo had sought medical treatment both locally at Doctors Plaza in Soroti and abroad in India. She later returned to Uganda during the campaign period despite deteriorating health.
She contested in the most recent elections but lost her seat to Pedun Josephine of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who polled 17,010 votes.
Christine Abeja of the Democratic Party came second with 12,152 votes, while Isodo finished third with 11,334 votes.
Isodo is survived by her husband, Samuel Isodo, a lawyer, and their three children: Joanne Apio, Arnold Isodo and Allan Bill Okiro.
