The Parliament of Uganda recently held a special sitting to honor the late Kalangala Woman Member of Parliament, Hellen Nakimuli, whose passing has left many colleagues and constituents in mourning.
During the emotional session, Minister Balaam Barugahara delivered a eulogy that captured the attention of many lawmakers due to its candid and personal nature.
In his remarks, Balaam described Nakimuli as a principled and independent politician who could not easily be influenced by money or political pressure.
He revealed that on several occasions, he had personally approached Nakimuli in an attempt to persuade her to leave the opposition National Unity Platform and join the ruling National Resistance Movement.
According to Balaam, these efforts included offering financial incentives, a strategy he admitted had worked with other politicians in the past.
However, he said Nakimuli consistently rejected those offers, choosing instead to remain loyal to her political beliefs and party.
He emphasized that her refusal showed she was not a transactional politician, but someone guided by principles and conviction.
Despite their political differences, Balaam noted that Nakimuli remained respectful and maintained a cordial relationship with members across the political divide.
He added that she understood that belonging to different political parties did not mean becoming enemies, and she often demonstrated this through her interactions.
In an effort to comfort the grieving family, Balaam also referenced Christian teachings, saying that as a believer, Nakimuli had not truly died but had transitioned to another life.
The minister encouraged family members to remain strong during this difficult time and to hold onto their faith.
During the same session, Balaam shifted attention to another late legislator, Stella Isodo, who represented Ngora District and had passed away months earlier.
He revealed that people close to Isodo’s family had approached him seeking financial support, explaining that the family was facing serious financial challenges.
According to Balaam, Isodo had been the main provider for her family, and her death had left them struggling to meet basic needs.
He therefore appealed to Parliament to support the family by asking each Member of Parliament to contribute Shs500,000.
This proposal, however, did not sit well with many legislators who were already feeling financially stretched.
Earlier in the same sitting, MPs had been encouraged to contribute the same amount toward the education of Nakimuli’s child.
As a result, Balaam’s new request was met with resistance, murmurs, and open protest from several members in the chamber.
Some lawmakers expressed frustration, suggesting that repeated financial appeals were becoming overwhelming.
In the end, many MPs chose not to support the proposal, effectively disregarding Balaam’s suggestion despite his justification.
The session highlighted both the respect many had for Nakimuli’s character and the ongoing tensions within Parliament over financial contributions and responsibilities.
