Some of the people who died in 2025 included the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, politicians and sports personalities
Pope Francis Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the head of the Catholic Church from March 2013 to April 21, 2025, when he passed away. He was 88. He had battled bronchitis and pneumonia. The pontiff died a day after appearing for Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican. While he had been weak and his health worried many, his death caught many off guard, especially after that Easter appearance. Eulogies and raw grief poured in from across the world. The Pontiff had visited Uganda in 2015 He is remembered as the embodiment of humility, kindness, empathy, and servant leadership. He was a strong advocate of climate change and the environment, promoted unity between religious denominations, and issued apologies to survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.
Raila Odinga (1945-2025)Odinga was born on January 7, 1945 to Jaramogi Odinga, who was Kenya’s first vice president after independence and Mary Juma Odinga in Maseno, Kenya. He died in India where he was receiving medical treatment. Several eulogies commended Raila for his role in Kenya’s politics spanning more than three decades, with some noting that he was the president Kenya never had, having lost five presidential elections including the most recent one of 2022. President William Ruto eulogised Raila, a former prime minister, as a man who ‘dedicated his entire adult life to the service of our nation. The father of our democracy, a tireless champion for social justice, a renowned Pan-Africanist, and a statesman without equal.’ He added that Raila ‘played a defining role in shaping Kenya’s modern political history’.
George Wilson Kanyeihamba (1939 – July 14, 2025) The celebrated jurist, former Supreme Court judge, constitutional scholar, and politician, died on July 14 at the age of 85. He was one of Uganda’s most respected legal minds, famed for his strong defence of constitutionalism and the rule of law. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution, an Attorney General, and held several ministerial positions, including minister of Justice. In 2006, he was among the justices who ruled that the re-election of President Museveni was marred by irregularities substantial enough to warrant nullification.
Rajiv Ruparelia (1990-2025) Prominent businessman, Rajiv Ruparelia, died in a motor accident in the wee hours of May 3. He was 35 years. He was driving on the Kajjansi-Munyonyo Expressway when he rammed into concrete barriers, setting his car ablaze and killing him. He died just hours before a friend’s wedding, where he was to serve as a groomsman. Following the fatal accident, social commentators and Parliament accused the Ministry of Works of gross negligence in managing road infrastructure, citing the unmarked, poorly-lit barricades that had been placed without notification. He was the son of businessman Sudhir Ruparelia and managing Director of the Ruparelia Empire, overseeing real estate, education, and hospitality businesses. Rajiv was also a renowned rally driver. He was described as a man of the people and a philanthropist. He was survived by a wife and a three-year-old daughter.
Muhammad Ssegirinya The MP for Kawempe North passed away at Rubaga Hospital on January 9 after a longed illness. He was 37. Ssegirinya was elected to Parliament in the 2021 election, where he served for about a year before he was arrested over machete attacks in the Greater Masaka Sub-region that left about 20 people dead. He was on remand for nearly two years, alongside Makindye West legislator, Allan Ssewanyana. The two were granted bail in September 2021, only to be rearrested While in prison, Ssegirinya’s health deteriorated. He spent long periods in hospitals in Uganda, Kenya, and the Netherlands Ssegirinya is remembered for his humour and vocal advocacy for his conconstituents and the underprivileged. His story, from a regular caller on radio shows to a parliamentarian, also serves as a great inspiration to many Ugandans. He delivered critical and pertinent political commentary and steadily rose to prominence. Following his death, the State dropped the murder and terrorism charges against him.
John Kazoora Maj (rtd) John Bashaija Kazoora was a veteran of the National Resistance Army who participated in the five-year guerrilla war that brought President Museveni to power in 1986. He died in his sleep, having felt unwell after having lunch with some guests on Easter Sunday, April 20. He was 69. Maj Kazora also served as MP for Kashari. The bush war veteran, who became an outspoken critic of President Museveni, was also an author and was famed for his memoir Betrayed by My Leader. He was eulogised as an honest and morally upright man who worked tirelessly for community development.
Brig Charles Oluka Brig Charles Oluka was the director general of the Internal Security Organisation. He died at Seguku Hospital, where he was rushed after falling ill. He was 57 years old. He had been promoted to the rank of brigadier general only a year earlier. He took over the reins of the spy agency in 2020 and played a key role in rebuilding the reputation of the agency after years of gross allegations. He was buried in Kalaki District on February 8
Cedric Babu Ndilima Born in 1978, the media personality and sports administrator, Cedric Babu, died aged 50 in a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. He succumbed to heart-related complications. He was airlifted to the Nairobi hospital after he collapsed during a tennis tournament in Kigali, Rwanda. He died days after a public fundraising had been launched to collect funds for a heart transplant. The deceased was also a media personality who hosted shows like Cedric Live on the national broadcaster, UBC, and was deeply involved in tennis promotion in Uganda, including participating in the leadership of the Uganda Tennis Association. The son of a prominent politician, Capt Francis Babu, Cedric was also involved in politics. He was a close political associate of Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and his Patriotic League of Uganda.
Mary Busingye Karooro Okurut She was an educator, author, politician, and women’s rights advocate. She died on August 10 at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, aged 71. She served as a press secretary to President Museveni, minister in-charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, minister of National Security and minister of Gender and Social Issues. She also represented Bushenyi District in Parliament and was a lecturer at Makerere University’s Literature Department. She married politics and education with advancing the rights of women and girls and is credited with starting a reusable sanitary pads factory in Bushenyi in an effort to keep girls in schools. She, however, died before the completion of the factory. Karooro is also remembered for her generosity and charitable acts, including providing free education for orphans and vulnerable.
Rhoda Nakibuuka Nsibirwa Kalema Also known as Mother of Parliament, the woman of many firsts and veteran politician died on August 3, at the age of 96. She joined politics in 1961 in the Uganda Peoples Congress party. She went on to serve in different portfolios in different governments. She served as Deputy Minister of Public Service between 1989 and 1991 and represented Kiboga District in the Constituent Assembly. Here, she contributed to the drafting of the 1995 Constitution She was a founder member of the Uganda Patriotic Movement, the party under which Mr Yoweri Museveni contested for the presidency in the 1980 disputed election. After retiring from politics, she concentrated on advancing the women’s rights movement. She was the daughter of Buganda Prime Minister, Martin Luther Nsibirwa, and Veronica Namuddu. She attended Gayaza High School, King’s College Budo, and pursued social work studies in Scotland, and obtained a diploma from the University of Edinburgh.
Henry Mulindwa The news of the passing of Henry Mulindwa hit like a lightning bolt in the Nation Media Group-Uganda (NMG-U) newsroom. The Daily Monitor journalist and supplements editor died aged 41 in July, after a long battle with kidney complications. He had worked at the publications for 13 years. He is remembered by colleagues for his dedication to his duties, warmth, and easy-going nature. He was a mentor to many. Mulindwa was described by his supervisors as a passionate and dedicated employee who gave his best towards his work. But what perhaps stood out most about Mulindwa was his jolly persona and a good sense of humour
Aloysius Atwiine The NMG-U newsroom was again plunged into mourning after the death of Aloysius Atwiine, a cameraman and business reporter. He joined NMG-U in 2017. He passed away in July after a short illness. Family revealed he had been undergoing treatment for kidney disease and diabetes, but lost the battle at Mbarara Hospital. He was laid to rest in his ancestral home in Mitooma District. Family, colleagues, and friends remember Atwiine as a supportive colleague, a hardworking journalist, and a humble soul. To his father, he was a happy and joyful son. He was dedicated, cooperative, eager to learn, and a champion of peace and collegiality in the newsroom. He was survived by a wife, two children, and six siblings.