Former Kyenjojo District woman legislator Joyce Kwebiha Abwooli has died, family and local sources have confirmed. Ms Kwebiha, widely known in the area as “Maama Mission,” passed away on 16 February 2026 at Buhinga Hospital in Fort Portal City.
Ms Joyce Kwebiha was a prominent figure in local politics, having served as woman Member of Parliament for Kyenjojo District in Uganda’s eighth Parliament. She ran as an independent candidate and was a respected voice during her term in the late 2000s.
A long-time resident and influencer in the Rwenzori region, Ms Kwebiha was also the director of Kyenjojo Development Radio, a key platform for community dialogue and public awareness.
Her political engagement pre-dated her parliamentary tenure. In 2007, soon after joining Parliament, she survived reported death threats related to local electoral disputes an episode that underscored the intensity of grassroots politics in the region at the time.
In the 2020s, Ms Kwebiha maintained a visible role in civic life. She was a guest of honour at the opening of a National Unity Platform (NUP) office in Kyenjojo in November 2020 and used the occasion to urge peace and harmonised political participation in the run-up to the 2021 general elections, despite existing partisan tensions.
Although she lost her parliamentary seat after her first term finishing behind challenger Linda Timbigamba in subsequent elections Ms Joyce Kwebiha remained a respected elder in local governance circles and community advocacy.
Her involvement in the launch of the NUP office was widely covered at the time and reflected her ongoing commitment to inclusive democratic engagement across political divides.
Reports from social media and local updates following news of her death reflect an outpouring of condolences from residents who remembered her as a strong advocate for grassroots dialogue and civic participation. Authorities in Kyenjojo have yet to issue an official statement regarding her passing or forthcoming funeral arrangements.
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