KAMPALA.
Renowned politician and woman activist Rhoda Nsibirwa Kalema will be given an official burial , government has announced .
Rhoda ,96 died in the early hours of August 3 at 3.30am at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, where she had been receiving treatment.
According to a statement released by Minister of Presidency Ms Milly Babalanda on Tuesday evening, Rhoda Kalema will be buried on Saturday, August 9, 2025 in Kiboga District.
“President Museveni, in line with Article 99 of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda as amended which vests Executive Authority of Uganda in the President; has directed that the Late. Hon. Lay Canon Rhoda Nakibuuka Nsibirwa Kalema be accorded an Official Burial,” statement reads in part.
Referred to as a trailblazer and Mother of Parliament in Uganda, Rhoda lived her life to its fullest, with little regret and nothing to agonise about. Born on May 10, 1929, to former Buganda Katikkiro Martin Luther Nsibirwa and Veronica Namuddu, Kalema was educated at Gayaza High School and King’s College Budo before pursuing social work studies in Scotland.
Born at a time when girls were nurtured for marriage and the kitchen and were not thought to need formal education, Rhoda got an education, married at 21, older than the average 18 years of marriage for a girl at the time. She grew up to become a prisoner of conscience as she opposed different political rules openly.
Regarding Official Burial preparatory arrangements, the Government of Uganda has constituted a hybrid of the National Organizing Committee Chaired by the Minister for Presidency, Ms Milly Babirye Babalanda with representatives from the family.
Tentative burial programme:
Day Time Activity Venue
Wednesday 6th August 2025 09.45 am Body arrives at Entebbe Airport from Nairobi and is received by a few family members and close friends and the casket proceeds to the funeral Home Entebbe Airport
Thursday 7th August 2025 09:00am Church service at Namirembe Cathedral Namirembe Cathedral
06.00pm Vigil at the Late’s Home in Muyenga, Kalema Close Muyenga
Friday Morning 8th August 2025 10:00am Body leaves Kampala for Kiboga Late’s Final Resting place in Kiboga
Saturday 9th August 2025 Burial ceremony beginning with Prayers at 9.00 am and final send off at 2.00pm Final Resting place in Kiboga
“The Uganda Police Force has been directed to oversee all the Official burial ceremonies including the gun salute at the burial. Therefore, the neighborhood is encouraged to remain calm during the gun salute moment.”