Parliament pays tribute to late Ngora woman MP Stella Apolot Isodo

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Members of Parliament have paid glowing tribute to the late former Ngora District Woman Member of Parliament, Stella Apolot Isodo, describing her as a friendly, resilient and collaborative legislator whose death has left a significant gap in Parliament.

Isodo died on January 17, 2026, after a period of illness. She served in the 11th Parliament on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket.

Her body was brought to Parliament on Wednesday (January 21) for public viewing and for Members of Parliament and the public to sign the condolence book. She is survived by her husband, Emmanuel Isodo, and their three children.

The motion to pay tribute was moved by fisheries state minister Hellen Adoa, on behalf of Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.

In her tribute, Nabbanja said the late Isodo served Ugandans in various capacities before joining Parliament. She previously worked as a Community Development Officer with Concern Worldwide, Senior Development Officer with Self Help Africa, Agriculture Programme Manager, and with the Teso Rural Development Organisation (TERUDO).

“Isodo was a leading promoter of unity and socio-economic transformation, especially in the Teso sub-region. She fostered consensus on key legislative priorities,” Nabbanja said.

Isodo’s parliamentary seat has since been won by Josephine Pedun of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Colleagues described Isodo as a committed team player who mentored young legislators and fostered cooperation across party lines. She was also an active member of the parliamentary netball team.

Members noted that she trained women in Ngora district to treat farming as a business, encouraging them to collectively transport and market their produce, including oranges, in markets such as Busia District.

The chairperson of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), Sarah Opendi, praised Isodo for her reliability, generosity and commitment to both parliamentary and extra-parliamentary work. Opendi, who is also the Woman MP for Tororo district, said that although Isodo was often quiet during plenary sittings, she was highly active and dependable outside the chamber.

“Whenever we had activities under UWOPA, and you called her at short notice, she would actually be there. We will miss her,” Opendi said.

Opendi further highlighted Isodo’s ability to work beyond party lines, describing her as an all-embracing leader who freely interacted with colleagues across the political divide despite being an FDC member.

Geoffrey Ekanya (Tororo North, FDC) noted that Isodo won her parliamentary seat without using money.

“She did not have money, but people respected and liked her. Elections have become highly commercialised,” Ekanya said.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who chaired the House, described Isodo as a prominent and highly respected member of the FDC. She noted that Isodo served diligently on the Committees on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, as well as Trade, Industry and Cooperatives.

Among revealed that Isodo was an active member of the parliamentary netball team and noted that the 11th Parliament has now lost seven Members.

“In death, we must unite beyond party lines. Special sittings are held for all Members who pass away, regardless of political affiliation,”, Among said.

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi described Isodo’s death as tragic, noting that she remained committed to opposition politics and public service despite prolonged illness.

“She was a gentle but firm leader who championed the rights of women and the youth. She was bedridden and could not campaign, but she remained steadfast in her belief in a better Uganda,” Ssenyonyi said.

Lucy Akello (Amuru District Woman MP, FDC) described Isodo as humble yet resolute, saying she stood firmly for her beliefs and deeply loved her family. Akello credited Isodo for spearheading the formation of the Parliamentary Forum on Cooperatives.

She added that Isodo’s husband continued campaigning on her behalf while she was ill, describing the gesture as commendable.