Former Iganga District Woman Member of Parliament Olivia Kabaale Kwagala, popularly known as Muliro Mulege, has died after a prolonged illness, bringing to an end a political career marked by advocacy for improved public services and development in her home district.
Kwagala, 57, died at a hospital in Kampala, where she had been bedridden for some time. Her death was confirmed by Haji Abubaker Walubi, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson for Iganga District.
Walubi said the former legislator had battled illness for a long time, adding that President Yoweri Museveni had contributed towards her medical bills after party leaders brought her condition to his attention.
“The deceased had suffered from an illness for a long time, and we informed President Yoweri Museveni during a thanksgiving ceremony of the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, and he started contributing towards her medical bills,” Walubi said.
Kwagala represented Iganga District in the ninth Parliament from 2011 to 2016 on the NRM ticket. She won the seat after defeating Beatrice Magoola, the mother of musician Rachael Magoola, popularly known as Obangaina. Rachael Magoola later contested for the same position and defeated Kwagala.
During her time in Parliament, Kwagala advocated for improved infrastructure and public services in Iganga Municipality, particularly the construction of a modern market to provide better facilities for traders.
She also pushed for the elevation of Iganga General Hospital to regional referral status, arguing that the district needed stronger healthcare services to meet the needs of its growing population and surrounding communities.
According to Walubi, the two issues remained among the causes she championed during her political career.
“She was so vocal in advocating for the construction of a modern market for the business community in Iganga Municipality,” he said.
He added that Kwagala had also advocated for the elevation of Iganga General Hospital to referral status, a goal that had not been achieved by the time of her death.
Her death leaves a gap among NRM leaders in Iganga, where she served as the district’s woman representative for five years before losing the seat in the subsequent election.
Walubi said he would inform the party secretariat about her death to facilitate support for the family during the burial arrangements.
Details of the burial programme had not been announced by the time of publication.
