Iganga Mourns Former Woman MP Olivia Kabaale Kwagala

IGANGA MOURNS FORMER WOMAN MP OLIVIA KABAALE KWAGALA

Friday, 6 November 2026

By Barasa Richard

IGANGA — Political leaders, religious figures, family members and residents of Iganga District have gathered to mourn former Woman Member of Parliament Olivia Kabaale Kwagala, remembering her as a persistent political figure whose public service and development advocacy left a mark on the district.

Kabaale Kwagala, popularly known as Muliiro Mulege, died on Monday, 2 November 2026, at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala at the age of 57, following a prolonged illness.

She is scheduled to be laid to rest on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at her family's ancestral home in Bunyantole Village, Ibulanku Sub-county, Bugweri District.

Her death has prompted tributes from political leaders and members of the community, many of whom have reflected on her political journey, parliamentary contribution and continued involvement in local development initiatives.

A requiem Mass was held at St. Peter's Church in Kasokoso Village, Iganga Municipality, where relatives, political leaders, religious figures and residents gathered to pay their last respects.

Before the service, her casket was escorted through the streets of Iganga Municipality in a procession accompanied by a brass band, allowing residents to participate in her final public farewell.

During the requiem Mass, Iganga District LCV Chairperson Shabiru Kalulu praised the deceased for her efforts to promote development, particularly through lobbying for rural electrification.

Kalulu credited her with advocating for the extension of electricity to communities in Nawaningi, Nakalama and parts of Nakigo, saying residents in those areas benefited from the programme.

He also recognised her contribution to lobbying for the rehabilitation of Iganga General Hospital, describing improved public services as an important part of her development agenda.

Former Kigulu South Member of Parliament Milton Muwuma described Kwagala as an important pillar of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Iganga and the wider Busoga sub-region.

Muwuma said her contribution to the party and the region's political development would be missed, noting that her participation in leadership had left a mark on the district's political landscape.

Presiding over the requiem Mass, Rev. Can. Alfred Borya of St. Peter's Church urged political leaders and public servants to learn from her life by prioritising the needs of ordinary citizens.

He emphasised that leadership should be measured by the positive difference it makes in people's lives rather than personal interests.

Kwagala's political career was marked by determination and several attempts to represent Iganga District in Parliament.

Her first major attempt to win the Woman MP seat came during the 2006 general elections, when she contested against Beatrice Zirabamuzale Magoola but did not succeed.

She later returned under the NRM ticket and won the seat in the 2011 general elections, becoming Iganga District Woman Representative in Uganda's 9th Parliament.

She served from 2011 to 2016, participating in parliamentary affairs while advocating for development initiatives in her constituency.

Her parliamentary career ended after the 2016 general elections, when she lost the seat to Grace Hailat Kaudha.

However, former district leaders said her involvement in community development continued after leaving Parliament.

Former Iganga District LCV Chairperson Ezra Gabula remembered her as a development-minded leader who wanted to see the district progress. He credited her with lobbying for the construction of boreholes to improve access to clean and safe water in different communities.

Another former district chairperson, Patrick Kayemba, said Kwagala later joined Umeme as a staff member, where she reportedly used her position to help communities secure electricity connections.

Kayemba also credited her with supporting underprivileged children through bursary programmes, which she reportedly continued even after losing her parliamentary seat.

Among the development priorities associated with her political career were the proposed construction of a modern market in Iganga Municipality and the elevation of Iganga General Hospital to referral status.

Iganga District NRM Chairperson Haji Abubaker Walubi said these were among the issues she consistently championed in her efforts to improve services and economic opportunities for residents.

Born on 16 June 1969, Kwagala entered public life through electoral competition before eventually securing a place in Parliament. Her political journey included an unsuccessful bid in 2006, a successful election in 2011 and an unsuccessful re-election campaign in 2016.

Although her parliamentary tenure lasted five years, tributes from former district leaders suggest that her interest in community affairs extended beyond her time in the national legislature.

As Iganga and the wider Busoga region prepare to bid farewell to the former legislator, her political journey, development advocacy and involvement in community initiatives remain central to the tributes being paid to her.

She will be laid to rest on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at her family's ancestral home in Bunyantole Village, Ibulanku Sub-county, Bugweri District.