Rhoda Nakibuuka Kalema, “Mother of Parliament,” Dies at 96

Rhoda Nakibuuka Kalema, a trailblazer in Ugandan politics and revered as the “Mother of Parliament,” passed away at the age of 96. She was born on 10 May 1929 in the Butikkiro, the official residence of the Katikkiro (Prime Minister) of the Kingdom of Buganda located in Mengo, Kampala.

She was one of 24 children of Martin Luther Nsibirwa, who served twice as Katikkiro of Buganda, and Veronica Namuddu. Her early education began at Gayaza Junior School, followed by primary and secondary education at King’s College Budo. She later trained in secretarial studies and served as secretary and bursar at Gayaza High School until 1949.

In 1950, she married William Kalema, a teacher at King’s College Budo who later became a prominent politician and Minister of Commerce. Rhoda Kalema pursued further education in the UK, enrolling at Newbattle Abbey Adult Education College in 1955 for a course in Social Work and Social Administration, followed by a Diploma in Social Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

A Life of Political Firsts and Enduring Resilience

Rhoda Kalema carved out a political path for women at a time when female participation in public affairs was exceedingly rare. She was among the first women to serve on Uganda’s National Consultative Council (NCC) following the 1979 liberation war that ousted Idi Amin.

From 1989 to 1991, she served as Deputy Minister of Public Service under President Yoweri Museveni. In 1994, she was elected to Uganda’s Constituent Assembly, where she won two-thirds of the vote in Kiboga District, triumphing over eight male contenders.

Legacy of Advocacy and Mentorship

Kalema was a founding member of Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) in 1980, enduring multiple arrests during the political turmoil of the early 1980s. Her dedication to public service extended beyond politics, she mentored emerging female leaders, including current Minister of Energy, Ruth Nankabirwa.

Her contributions to Uganda’s women’s movement and national governance earned her widespread recognition. She was honored by Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), and in 2018, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Pepperdine University.

In 2021, she published her memoir, My Life Is But a Weaving, which offers personal reflections spanning her royal upbringing, political engagement, and Uganda’s complex transition from colonial rule to independence.

A Nation Mourns

Rhoda Kalema’s passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy as a pioneer, mentor, and advocate for justice and inclusion will continue to inspire generations of Ugandan leaders.