Deceased 'mother of Parliament' Kalema willed funeral cash to Kiboga schools, Church

 
Lay Canon Rhoda Nakibuuka Nsibirwa Kalema willed that the cash contribution towards her funeral goes to Kiboga schools and the Scripture Union instead of a funeral wreath.

“Instead of flowers, the family is receiving donations that will go to Bamusuuta Primary School and Secondary School, Kiboga and Scripture Union, Kiboga, that she supported to continue her legacy,” the family says.

The daughter of former Buganda Katikkiro (Prime Minister) Martin Luther Nsibirwa, Kalema, who passed on in the early hours of Sunday, August 3, 2025, was famously known as the ‘Mother of Parliament.’

Former public service deputy minister and Kiboga legislator, Kalema, 96, lauded for her outstanding contribution to the women's emancipation agenda, died at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.

During her funeral service at St Paul Cathedral Namirembe in Kampala city, where hundreds of mourners turned up on Thursday, to offer thanksgiving to God for the diligent life of the Constitutional Assembly delegate, celebrated as the most intelligent woman who lived among them.

Ugandan veterinarian and founder of Conservation Through Public Health Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, among others, thanked the Government for giving Kalema an official burial for their mother.

“Maama was a perfectionist with good and bad. Maama was so good at balancing work and family,” she said.

President Yoweri Museveni lauds Kalema 

 “I extend my appreciation to the family of late Rhoda Kalema for the service she rendered to this nation of Uganda through her lifetime, especially while she was still actively involved in politics,” Museveni stated.

According to the President, Kalema lived a life of multiple testimonies as a patriotic leader in various aspects, including as a deputy public service minister, a member of the Constituency Legislative Assembly and earlier Parliamentary works.

“In 1994, she stood with eight men, and she defeated them all. She was an example to many women in leadership,” Museveni added.

The President’s eulogy was delivered by the state minister for Kampala, Kabuye Kyoffatogabye, during the funeral service.

Kalema, according to the President, encouraged many women to believe in themselves, take up leadership positions and reach their full potential.

 “Kalema put down vulnerabilities and limits attached to the womenfolk by mainly African societies. She was actively involved in the affairs of her community in Kiboga. She served unwaveringly to see change through participation in those areas,” Museveni said.

Official burial

President Museveni has since directed for the official burial of Kalema in recognition of her decades of dedicated service to Uganda.

In line with the President’s directive, the Office of the President, along with the family, have already released the funeral programme with the burial scheduled to take place at their ancestral home in Kiboga town on Saturday (Tomorrow).

 Kalema, born on May 10,1929, was one of 24 children of Martin Luther Nsibirwa, who was twice appointed Katikkiro (prime minister) of Buganda Kingdom.

 Church of Uganda Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu commiserated with the family for the loss of Kalema, whom he described as a dedicated individual to God’s ministry.

 “Let the Lord be praised for the life of Maama Rhoda Kalema who has served well and we thank God for enabling her because in Psalms 90; 10 because he informs us well that ‘Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures,” We thank God that he has given Maama about 96 years,” Kaziimba said.

Among the high-profile dignitaries who attended the funeral service were former Vice-President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi; former Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda; Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda; and the Speaker of the Buganda Lukiiko, Patrick Luwagga Mugumbule, who is representing the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga.

 Nnaabagereka Sylvia Nagginda used the occasion to celebrate the friendship between the families of Nkalubo Ssebugwawo and William Wilberforce Kalema (Rhoda’s husband) that extended about 70 years.

 “When Kalema died, Ssebugwawo took the love forward. And when our grandfather (Ssebugwawo) died, Maama Rhoda was with us until her death,” Nagginda said.

 Nagginda disclosed that Nakalema was a great supporter of her programmes under the Nnaabagereka Development Foundation, such as Ekisaakate Kya Nnaabagereka.

 Nagginda disclosed that Nakalema was a great supporter of her programmes under the Nnaabagereka Development Foundation, such as Ekisaakate Kya Nnaabagereka.

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, in his message delivered by Mugumbule, lauded Kalema for participating in politics for the empowerment women.

“She has given a good example to all women who want to join politics because of her conduct,” he stated.

The former ethics and integrity minister and prominent proponent and advocate of women's rights, Miria Matembe, said Kalema was a great hero of women's emancipation.

“We have looked at her as our mother, a mentor, a great woman. We have lost as women in this land. I am here with deep pain and sadness that she has gone. But at the same time, I want to express my joy and happiness because of the life that she has lived,” Matembe said. 

 Political career

Kalema had an illustrious political career spanning from the 1960s when the Late Grace Ibingira and Adoko Nekyon initiated her into the Uganda People's Congress.

Following the disappearance of her husband in 1972 during Idi Amin's regime, she gave up political participation until 1979, when, after Idi Amin's downfall, she joined the National Consultative Council (NCC) formed by the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF) under Edward Rugumayo, as one of two female representatives.

She was a deputy minister of culture and community development in Binaisa's regime.
In 1980, she was one of the founding members of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM).

During her political career, the late was arrested three times by the State Research Bureau: on January 23, 1979, during the Amin Regime; in February, 1981 (when she and other politicians were arrested and detained at Katabi Military Barracks, after numerous attacks on police stations) and on February 4, 1983 under the Obote Regime on what were deemed to be subversive actions by the 2 governments.

She was appointed deputy minister of public service from 1989 until 1991. In 1994, she stood for the Constituent Assembly elections as the Kiboga district representative, and defeated 8 male opponents after scooping two-thirds of the entire vote.

She later retired from politics after grooming a number of notable politicians, including the current energy minister, Ruth Nankabirwa.