Late Namaganda (in green blouse) distributes fresh orange-irish potato stems to farmers in Bukomansimbi District recently in her effort to end famine. PHOTO BY Martins E. Ssekweyama
In Summary
Rest in peace. Politicians pay tribute to late Susan Namaganda, the Bukomansimbi Woman Member of Parliament who died in a motor accident on Friday
Even without a medal to celebrate her life, for the farmers in Bukomansimbi, a rural district in central Uganda, Susan Namaganda, 31, was a heroine. And in recognition of her selfless service and advocacy for the welfare of the rural poor, her constituents nicknamed her bbeyi ya birime (better produce prices).
The reference to bbeyi ya birime was a signature by-line for her relentless efforts in advocating fair prices for rural farmers. Many farmers in Bukomansimbi will remember Namaganda as a superwoman, whose leadership freed thousands from the clutches of middlemen.
Namaganda, a first-term legislator in the 9th Parliament and largely seen as a favourite to parliamentary race in Bukomansimbi District, died in a car accident on Friday. She was also the Deputy National Women’s Leader of the Democratic Party.
She died at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, hours after her admission there. Police said a commuter taxi rammed into her car in Mpanga Forest, 37 kilometres west of Kampala on Masaka-Kampala highway. She is the 10th MP to die in office in more than four years of 9th parliament.
More than 200,000 people die every year in traffic accidents in Uganda. The majority of these accidents are preventable. Poor road safety culture and failure to enforce traffic rules are majorly to blame for the high rate of accidents.
Ms Namaganda‘s parents, Mr Peter Kamara and Ms Elizabeth Nankumba, residents of Kibinge in Bukomansimbi, both died when she was still a toddler. Mr Wasswa Mugenyi, a resident of Kikaaya village in Kibinge Sub-county, took care of her with the other children. Mr Mugenyi is still alive.
A mother of three and a member of the Democratic Party (DP), Namaganda was married in a traditional ceremony to Mr Mukasa Mbidde, a member of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in 2012. In Parliament, she has been a voice for the women in Bukomansimbi District. She is survived by three children, with the youngest said to be six months old.
Born on April 10, 1984, in Kikaaya village, Kibinge Sub-county in former Masaka District, at only 26, the late Namaganda, a rookie but strong-minded politician then, became Bukomansimbi’s first Woman MP in February 2011. This was after the creation of the district in July 2010. She was one of the youngest legislators in 9th Parliament.
While Ms Namaganda’s sudden death was mourned across the political spectrum. It produced an immediate angry reaction in Bukomansimbi District where some of her supporters blamed her death on witchcraft.
Battle for Bukomansimbi
Ms Namaganda was expected to face NRM candidate Ms Halima Nakawungu, Ms Janat Kayondo (Independent) and Ms Immaculate Nabawanuka, another independent candidate, who had refused to step-down for Namaganda after the DP primaries.
On account of her popularity in one of the DP strongholds in central Uganda, Ms Namaganda was expected to easily win a second term in parliament.
She was one of the two DP women representatives in parliament and was a member of the Agriculture and Information and Communication Technology committees.
Previous accidents
Previously, Namaganda survived two horrid accidents before the third one took her life. On January 2, Namaganda was involved in an accident at Lweera on Kampala-Masaka highway. She survived with minor injuries. Seven months later, she was involved in another accident at Butenga area in Bukomansimbi District when her driver, Mr Isaac Lwanga, knocked a cyclist. The MP, her driver and the cyclist were badly bruised but all survived.
ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com
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