Parliament on Tuesday held a special sitting to pay tribute to the late Ngora District Woman Member of Parliament, Apolot Stella Isodo, who passed away on Saturday, 17 January 2026.
The sitting brought together legislators from across the political divide to honor a colleague remembered for her humility, dedication, sports and unwavering service to the people of Ngora and Uganda at large.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among led the tributes, describing the late MP as a servant leader whose life embodied selfless service, integrity, and compassion. She said Hon. Isodo was deeply loved by her constituents and respected by fellow legislators for her calm demeanor and commitment to duty.
“Her life was a testament to selfless service, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the people of Ngora and the nation at large. Though she has departed, her legacy of compassion and leadership will continue to inspire this House and generations to come,” Speaker Among said.
Isodo was a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party and served with distinction on several parliamentary committees, including Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; Equal Opportunities; and National Economy.
As a trained agriculturalist, she was known for offering practical and technical contributions to debates on rural development, food security, and agricultural productivity.
The Speaker also noted that the late MP was an active member of the Parliamentary Sports Club, where she played netball, reflecting her belief in teamwork, discipline, and healthy living. Beyond Parliament, she was a strong advocate for women’s rights and a committed grassroots mobilizer who maintained close ties with her constituents.
Isodo also served as spokesperson for the Teso Parliamentary Group, where she championed development initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods across the sub-region. Speaker Among urged Members of Parliament to reflect on the meaning of legacy, noting that while death is inevitable, the impact leaders create in society endures.
State Minister for Fisheries and Serere District Woman MP, Hellen Adoa, praised Isodo for serving the country with humanity and purpose. She said the late legislator consistently promoted unity, socio-economic transformation, and girl-child education.
“Stalla Apolot Isodo was a distinguished legislator and leader who served her nation with unwavering commitment and meticulously worked as the woman member of parliament for Ngora district from 2022 to the time of her death,” Adoa who also serves as the Serere Woman MP told Parliament. She added “Isodo was a leading promoter of unity as well as social economic transformation especially for the Teso sub-region, she fostered unity and built consensus on important priorities.”
In regard to standing up for the girl-child, Adoa said “Isodo earned her recognition for championing women’s rights through promotion of financial inclusion and self-reliance initiatives for women involved in rural subsistence farming and girl child education, where in all these initiatives created a more inclusive environment for women to benefit from the national development programs.”
Isodo, served in the 11th Parliament on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket. Her seat has since been won by Josephine Pedun of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who secured 17,010 votes in parliamentary polls held on Thursday, January 17, 2026.
The NRM Parliamentary Caucus spokesperson, Alex Brandon Kintu (Kagoma North), said Isodo was a senior legislator whose experience benefited many members of Parliament regardless of political affiliation.
“She has been a senior legislator in this country. I met her in Parliament and I have been learning a lot as a junior legislator,” Kintu said. “She cut across irrespective of political party affiliation and was very collaborative.”
Kintu also recalled Isodo’s personal support to fellow lawmakers, noting that she attended and financially contributed to fundraising activities in his constituency, just as colleagues supported similar initiatives in Ngora District.
“She was a very serious member of Parliament, a mother and a good Christian. We will dearly miss her,” he added.
“She earned national recognition for promoting human rights and encouraging women to embrace agriculture as a pathway to empowerment,” Adoa said, adding that Uganda had lost a committed public servant.
Leader of the Opposition, Joel Senyonyi, conveyed condolences on behalf of the opposition to the family of the late MP, the people of Ngora District, the Teso sub-region, and the FDC Party. He described Hon. Isodo as a principled leader whose contributions transcended party lines.
Soroti City Woman MP, Joan Alobo, spoke emotionally about her close personal relationship with the deceased, describing her as a motherly figure and a passionate advocate for agriculture and women’s empowerment.
“She lobbied for tractors for Ngora and promised to empower women. She was humble, calm, and very knowledgeable,” Alobo said.
Similarly, the chairperson of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), Sarah Opendi, praised Isodo for her reliability, generosity and commitment to parliamentary and extra-parliamentary work. Opendi, who is also the Woman MP for Tororo District, said that although Isodo was often quiet during House proceedings, 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,” Opendi said. “It is very unfortunate that we will miss her.”
Opendi also highlighted Isodo’s ability to work beyond party lines, describing her as an all-embracing leader who interacted freely with colleagues from different political parties despite being an FDC member.
Isodo’s death has prompted renewed reflection among legislators on her role in promoting cooperation, mentorship and unity in Parliament, as preparations continue for her burial and formal tributes in the House.
Isodo’s passing brings to seven the number of Members of the 11th Parliament who have died. Speaker Among described this reality as deeply painful and urged Members to pray for the bereaved family, the people of Ngora, and the nation, as Parliament mourns the loss of one of its own.
