Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party is mourning the untimely passing of its member and Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament (MP) Hellen Nakimuli .
Nakimuli suddenly died following an unsuccessful surgery on Sunday, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi said on Sunday.“Terrible, shocking news! Hon. Hellen Nakimuli, Woman MP, Kalangala District just passed on after an unsuccessful surgery! May God strengthen all of us in this very tough time,” Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, wrote on X at around 5:27pm.
The opposition lawmaker’s death comes less than a month before the swearing-in of Uganda’s 12th Parliament, scheduled for May 13–15, 2026, at Parliament House in Kampala, following the January 15 elections.Details surrounding the surgery and the exact cause of death were not immediately available, but reports indicate that the Orthodox volleyball enthusiast, who also served as shadow information minister, died at Mulago Hospital.Nakimuli was among legislators expected to take oath as the new parliamentary term begins.
‘Only re-elected Orthodox MP’The Orthodox Church in Uganda said it was mourning the death of its sole re-elected legislator.
“With deepest sorrow!! Hon. Hellen Nakimuli, a staunch Orthodox faithful and Woman MP, Kalangala District has reposed in the Lord!! Hellen is a daughter to Rev. Fr. Walusimbi Christopher and the only re-elected Orthodox Christian into Parliament,” the church said.
Theodero Ssekikubo,who is also Orthodox Christian lost his Lwemiyaga County parliamentary seat he had held for 25 years.
Parliament Speaker Anita Among also paid tribute, describing Nakimuli’s death as a shock.“It is with great sorrow that I announce the passing of our esteemed colleague. Words are insufficient to convey the shock we are experiencing at this moment, and we pray that the Lord Almighty sustains her family, friends, and all of us during this challenging time,” she said.
Bukoto East MP Ronald Evans Kanyike wrote: “We mourn the loss of Hon. Hellen Nakimuli… A kind leader, a sister, a light dimmed too soon. May God strengthen us.”Final House appearenceOne of her last major public appearances was on April 13 at a church event in Kampala marking the 71st birthday of Buganda’s monarch. Speaking at the event, she appealed to religious leaders to speak out against human rights violations.
“We shouldn’t allow our country to go down the wrong path. We grew up being told to be truthful. Our country is heading in the wrong direction, but people are silent, including religious leaders. They wonder whether they will be given cars by the government if they speak against human rights violations. Let’s speak truth to power, for our rewards are in heaven,” she remarked. But in her final parliamentary appearance on April 15, she challenged the government to expedite preparations for Uganda’s co-hosting of the 2027 PAMOJA Afcon edition alongside Kenya and Tanzania