Uganda is grieving the loss of a national treasure. Rhoda Nakibuuka Nsibirwa Kalema, affectionately known as the Mother of Parliament, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning at Nairobi Hospital. She was 96.
Her family shared the news in a heartfelt message:
“With deep sorrow, I am informing you about the demise of Mama Canon Rhoda Kalema who has passed on this morning from Nairobi Hospital.”
Despite her age, Mama Rhoda, as many fondly called her, remained vibrant and committed to public life. Just days before her passing, she was in Kiboga District, attending a Scripture Union conference, continuing the mission she had always believed in: serving other
Born on May 10, 1929, Rhoda was the daughter of Martin Luther Nsibirwa, a respected former Katikkiro of Buganda, and Veronica Namuddu. Leadership and faith were part of her heritage. She was raised in a home where public service was both a calling and a responsibility.
She attended Gayaza High School and King’s College Budo—schools that shaped many of Uganda’s great minds. Later, she pursued social work studies in Scotland, grounding her sense of duty in both knowledge and compassion
Kalema stepped into politics at a time when few women dared to. After Idi Amin’s fall, she was appointed to the National Consultative Council, helping guide a country healing from years of dictatorship. Between 1989 and 1991, she served as Deputy Minister for Public Service under President Yoweri Museveni.
In 1994, she made history. Running against eight male candidates in Kiboga District, she won a seat in the Constituent Assembly, playing a key role in drafting Uganda’s current Constitution. Her courage and quiet confidence earned her national respect—and a special place in the hearts of Ugandan women.
Kalema’s strength wasn’t only political—it was deeply personal. Her husband, William Wilberforce Kalema, a former minister, was abducted during Idi Amin’s brutal regime and never returned. The trauma could have silenced her. Instead, it deepened her resolve.
She co-founded the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) in 1980, a political party that would eventually lay the foundation for the National Resistance Movement (NRM). It was a dangerous time to speak out, and she was arrested more than once. But she never wavered
Beyond the halls of power, Rhoda Kalema was a mentor, a mother figure, and a spiritual guide to many. She nurtured generations of young women, including Ruth Nankabirwa, now Uganda’s Energy Minister. She championed women’s rights long before it became mainstream—and did so with quiet dignity.
Her contributions were widely recognized. In 1996, the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) honored her work. In 2018, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Pepperdine University.
In her later years, she reflected deeply on her life’s journey. In 2021, she published her memoir, My Life Is But a Weaving—a title that captured her humility and faith. It’s a story of a woman who endured, loved, lost, and led—with grace.
Rhoda Kalema’s life was not defined by power, but by purpose. She served with heart, stood with courage, and gave selflessly. She taught us that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about impact, character, and compassion.
As Uganda says goodbye, we remember her not just as a politician, but as a symbol of resilience and hope. Mama Rhoda may be gone, but the path she carved for women and the values she upheld live on.
