What exactly killed Ngora Woman MP Stella Apolot Isodo?

Ngora Woman MP Stella Apolot Isodo died after a brief illness while being rushed to Mulago Hospital, Speaker Anita Among has said, hailing her as a servant leader and advocate for women’s rights.

Speaker Anita Among laying a wreath on the casket carrying the Late Ngora Woman MP Stella Apolot Isodo during Wednesday's parliamentary session in Kampala.

Ngora, Uganda: Ngora District remains in mourning following the sudden death of outgoing Woman Member of Parliament Stella Apolot Isodo, who passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026, just hours after losing her re-election bid.

Official communication from close relatives indicates that Isodo succumbed to a brief illness while being rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialised treatment. No medical bulletin has yet been issued detailing the exact cause of death, and authorities have urged restraint amid speculation.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among confirmed the death earlier and on Wednesday evening delivered an emotional tribute on the floor of Parliament, describing Isodo as “our very own colleague, sister and friend.”

“Hon. Apolot was a prominent member of the Forum for Democratic Change. She was a highly respected and friendly personality, a servant leader who was deeply loved by her constituents and colleagues,” Among said.

It is with a heavy heart that we convene here today to pay tribute to our very own colleague, sister and friend; Hon. Apolot Stella Isodo, the District Woman MP, Ngora who passed away on Saturday, 17th January 2026.

Hon. Apolot was a prominent Member of the Forum for Democratic… pic.twitter.com/OuBNh6AEdP

— Anita Annet Among (@AnitahAmong) January 21, 2026

The Speaker highlighted Isodo’s legislative record, noting that she served with distinction on the Parliamentary Committees on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Equal Opportunities, and National Economy, and was an active member of the Parliamentary Sports Club where she played netball.

Among revealed that Isodo’s passing brings to seven the number of Members of the 11th Parliament who have died, calling it “a very painful reality” for the House.

“Death is an inevitable journey for all of us,” Among said, quoting 2 Samuel 14:14. “That is why we should strive to create a positive and lasting impact on our societies. At the end of the day, it is not how long we live on earth, but how impactful we are on humanity.”

She urged legislators to be deliberate about the legacies they leave behind, adding that Isodo will be vividly remembered for her consistent advocacy for women’s rights, her work as spokesperson of the Teso Parliamentary Group, and her leadership in championing development initiatives for the Teso sub-region.

“Hon. Apolot was a valuable professional agriculturalist who often brought technical insight to legislative discussions on rural development and agricultural productivity. It is so painful that we have lost a resourceful legislator,” Among said.

Isodo had just concluded a tightly contested race in which Pedun Josephine Pedun of the NRM won with 17,010 votes, followed by DP’s Abeja Christine with 12,152 votes. Isodo placed third with 11,334 votes, while NUP’s Amuge Rhoda polled 437 votes.

Political observers say the combination of a gruelling campaign period and underlying health challenges may have contributed to her sudden collapse, but stress that only a formal medical report can conclusively determine the cause of death.

But the Speaker called on Members of Parliament and the country at large to pray for Isodo’s family, the people of Ngora, the FDC fraternity, and Parliament, saying: “The Parliament of Uganda condoles with the family and friends of Hon. Apolot, the people of Ngora and Teso at large, the FDC Party and all Ugandans. May the Almighty and ever-merciful Lord grant Hon. Apolot eternal and perfect peace.