Kyenjojo District has lost a distinguished leader, mentor and pioneer. Hon. Joyce Kwebiha Abwooli, fondly known as “Maama Mission”, passed away on 16th February 2026 while serving as Chairperson of the District Service Commission. She was a woman whose life embodied dedication to public service and unwavering commitment to her community.

 Hon Kwebiha Joyce lies in state in the district Council hall

On 17th February 2026, an extraordinary Sitting of Council was convened at Kyenjojo District Headquarters, at Kasiina, in solemn tribute to a woman whose life was defined by service, courage and unwavering commitment to her people.

The Council chamber was heavy with grief yet filled with gratitude — gratitude for a life that touched institutions, communities and generations.

Speaking on behalf of Council, the Speaker described her as “a seasoned leader whose political and civil service journey strengthened the foundations of Kyenjojo District.”

“On behalf of Council, we salute her immense contribution to the development of our district. Hon. Joyce Kwebiha served with dedication, integrity and courage, noting that her contribution to the development of Kyenjojo District will remain deeply etched in its history. We pray that the Almighty God grants her eternal rest,” the Speaker said.

Hon. Kwebiha rose to national prominence when she served as Woman Member of Parliament for Kyenjojo District from 2006 to 2011, earning a reputation as a grassroots mobilizer who remained closely connected to the people she represented. She actively participated in national debates while ensuring that district concerns were heard at the centre, her presence was felt at community gatherings, council sittings and national engagements alike.

Even after her parliamentary term, she remained an influential voice in district political affairs, contributing thoughtfully to governance discourse and mentoring emerging leaders.

Hon Grace Atuheire, the leader of government business, and Vice Chairperson Kyenjojo District, noted, “Maama Mission never stopped serving. Even outside elective office, she guided many of us. She believed leadership was a calling, not a position.Though subsequent attempts to return to elective politics did not yield victory, she remained influential in district political affairs. Her voice continued to shape discourse, and she became a quiet but powerful mentor to emerging leaders”.

Her public service career extended far beyond politics. She worked in teaching institutions, the President’s Office and the Kampala City Council, holding various portfolios with professionalism and diligence.

In 2022, she was approved by Council to serve as Chairperson of the District Service Commission, a responsibility she carried with integrity and firmness.

A colleague at the Commission noted, “She understood the weight of her office. Every decision she made was guided by fairness and the desire to strengthen public institutions. She was firm, but she was just.”

Beyond government service, Hon. Kwebiha was also remembered as a pioneer investor in Kyenjojo’s media industry. She became the first individual to establish and run a private media house in the district, a bold step that expanded local access to information and provided a platform for community voices, opening doors for local voices and expanding access to information.Her entrepreneurial spirit complemented her public service career, demonstrating her multifaceted commitment to district growth.

Hon. Hamida Kahunde, the Deputy Speaker Kyenjojo, and a mentee of the late, noted “She believed our stories deserved to be told by us.She believed development starts with information. She wanted Kyenjojo to speak for itself, and she invested her own resources to make that happen. That is why she invested in media, and founded Kyenjojo Development Radio, for she wanted Kyenjojo to have its own voice.”

The District Chairperson Kyenjojo, Hon Gilbert Rubaihayo,  paid tribute to Hon. Joyce Kwebiha as a hardworking, upright and incorruptible leader who mastered her responsibilities as Chairperson of the District Service Commission, served among the very best in that role, stood firmly for truth and rightful decision-making, and whose exemplary service to Kyenjojo DLG will remain a lasting inspiration, and called for forgiveness where she may have erred. Healso assured her family of the district’s unwavering support during this time of mourning.

To her family, she was more than a public figure. She was a pillar of strength, guidance and unconditional love. She was known for her discipline, clarity of thought and courage in decision-making, balanced by a warm and approachable spirit.

A family representative emotionally expressed, that she was mother, grandmother, adviser and prayer warrior. “She carried her public responsibilities with honour, but at home she carried us with tenderness.”

Friends described her as disciplined yet warm, ambitious yet deeply rooted in community values. Many affectionately referred to her as Maama Mission — a name that captured both her nurturing spirit and her determined drive.

 Friends, Family honor the legacy of Hon Joyce Kwebiha, in a special sitting at Kyenjojo District Council

As Council convened to honour her life, members acknowledged that her journey leaves a visible imprint on Kyenjojo District’s political and administrative landscape.Her legacy is woven into the institutions she strengthened, the leaders she mentored, the policies she influenced and the community platforms she helped build.

At a relatively quiet ceremony at her ancestral home in Kisojo, with hundreds of mourners including several leaders, cultural figures, politicians, MPs, Civil servants, former employees of Kyenjojo Development Radio, relatives and friends, Maama Mission was laid to rest, with a service led by Rt Rev Reuben Kisembo Amooti, the Bishop of Rwenzori Diocese.

Though her passing has left a void, her life stands as a testament to purposeful leadership.

 Some leaders occupy office. Others build systems. Hon. Joyce Kwebiha built systems — and she built people.Kyenjojo District mourns, but also celebrates a woman who gave her life to service. Her dedication will continue to inspire present and future generations.

 The Casket Of Hon Kwebiha being lowered in her final resting place