Hellen Nakimuli, the Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament, was accorded a three-gun salute as she was laid to rest in Luweero District on Thursday.
Nakimuli died on Sunday at Alexandria Medical Centre after unsuccessful surgery for fibroids.
Her body was transported to her ancestral home in Lunyolya village, Kalagala Sub-county, Luweero District, where she was buried.
Speakers, including Members of Parliament, chiefs from Buganda Kingdom, National Unity Platform party leaders and her father, eulogized Nakimuli as a dedicated and committed leader who spoke for voiceless groups, including fishermen and the girl child.
At the send-off, Israel Kazibwe Kitooke, the Information Minister of Buganda Kingdom who represented Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, hailed Nakimuli for supporting Buganda programmes, including ‘Emwanyi Terimba’ and for championing the girl child.
National Unity Platform Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said Nakimuli loved Uganda at heart and yearned for change, but unfortunately died before witnessing it.
Rubongoya thanked the people of Kalangala for identifying and electing Nakimuli, saying she lived for the cause of change.
He added that during the by-election for the Kalangala District Woman MP seat, the party would give the ticket to the people’s choice to continue with the struggle.
In an audio message to mourners, NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi demanded investigations to answer questions surrounding Nakimuli’s death. Kyagulanyi hailed her for being consistent, committed, and dedicated to the fight for change in Uganda.
Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo said Nakimuli united both opposition and National Resistance Movement MPs in death. Ssekikubo attributed this unity to her respect for everyone and her devoted Orthodox faith.
Ssekikubo urged the people of Kalangala to consider electing another MP from the Orthodox religion, noting that the church had lost its only MP in the forthcoming 12th Parliament.
Nakimuli’s father, Rev. Christopher Walusimbi, thanked mourners for standing with the family and asked them to pray for them.
Nakimuli is survived by one daughter.
