MP Hellen Nakimuli drove herself to hospital for a minor surgery but didn’t make it out of the theatre, it has emerged.
The heartbreaking revelation was shared by Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, who also serves as Nakawa West MP and spokesperson of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
According to Ssenyonyi, Nakimuli had personally driven herself to the medical facility, expecting to undergo a procedure she said was not major.
Ssenyonyi said she had talked to Nakimuli at around 9am on Sunday, April 19, 2026. The issue at hand was a meeting for the opposition that was supposed to happen on Monday, April 20, 2026.
Also shadow information minister, Nakimuli was the meeting’s coordinator.
However, events took a tragic turn when she failed to come out of the operating theatre, leaving colleagues, family, and the nation in disbelief.
“This morning at about 9am, I spoke to Hon Hellen Nakimuli (Kalangala Woman MP) regarding a meeting of Opposition MPs that we were planning for tomorrow, and she was coordinating it as Shadow Minister for Information,” noted Ssenyonyi.
“At the time, she was literally driving herself to hospital for a surgery which she indicated was not major. Unfortunately, she has not made it out of theatre. She has died during the procedure. Kitalo nyo dala!”
Her sudden passing has sent shockwaves across the political divide, with many describing the incident as a painful reminder of the fragility of life.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Born on July 2, 1985, in Lukuba village, Kyamuswa Sub-county in Kalangala District, Hellen Nakimuli grew up in a family rooted in both faith and public service. Her father, Rev. Christopher Walusimbi, was a Greek Orthodox priest, while her mother, Maria Nalwanga Walusimbi, served as a district councillor—an upbringing that shaped her path into leadership.
She began her education at Bukasa Primary School and Hormisdallen Primary School before joining Our Lady of Good Counsel, Gayaza, for her O-Level studies. She later attended St. Augustine Secondary School for A-Level, where she emerged as a student leader, and eventually pursued higher education at Makerere University.
Nakimuli entered national politics after winning the Kalangala District Woman MP seat, becoming one of the leading opposition voices from Uganda’s island communities under the National Unity Platform (NUP). In Parliament, she consistently raised concerns affecting hard-to-reach areas, including transport challenges, healthcare access, and economic opportunities for island residents.
Within NUP, she took on added responsibility as Shadow Minister for Information, playing a central role in coordinating opposition communication and parliamentary strategy.
A Voice Beyond Parliament
Outside the political arena, Nakimuli was widely known for her passion for sports, particularly volleyball. She actively participated in competitions and represented Parliament in regional inter-parliamentary games, at times captaining teams and promoting sports as a unifying platform.
Her impact extended deeply into the community. She championed the rights of widows, often helping them secure legal support in property disputes, and regularly mobilised aid for vulnerable groups. From donating essential supplies to advocating for youth skilling and women empowerment, Nakimuli maintained a strong grassroots presence in Kalangala.
Recognition and Public Service
Her service did not go unnoticed. Nakimuli was awarded an ecclesiastical medal by the Orthodox Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Theodore II, in recognition of her contribution to the church, Uganda, and humanity at large.
A Sudden and Painful Loss
Her untimely death has left colleagues, constituents, and the wider public grappling with shock, particularly given the circumstances under which it occurred.
Nakimuli will be remembered as a determined leader, a compassionate representative, and a vibrant personality whose influence stretched beyond politics into the everyday lives of the people she served.
You can watch and read MP Hellen Nakimuli’s last words in her final speech in parliament Here.
