Parliament has today held a special sitting and paid tribute to Joyce Rovincer Mpanga, a former Member of Parliament and Minister, for her commendable contribution towards women’s emancipation and the education sector.
Mpanga who passed away at 90 on Saturday was a celebrated educationist, women’s rights activist, and veteran politician having served in the pre-independence Legislative Council.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa received the body of the fallen former minister Joyce Mpanga at the stairs of parliament before proceeding to lay in State for public viewing.
The special sitting started in the afternoon and the Deputy Speaker, Tayebwa led Parliament in paying tribute to the late Joyce Mpanga. Tayebwa hailed Mpanga as a leader who inspired young women to go to school when society considered education a preserve of the males
Mpanga is the former Minister for Women’s Affairs, former Minister for Primary Education, and former Mubende District Woman MP in the 6th Parliament and the first woman to join LEGCO in 1960, Tayebwa commended Mpanga for fighting for the marginalized in her legislative time.
Rukia Nakadama, the Third Deputy Prime Minister led Gov’t in paying tribute to Mpanga describing her as a celebrated educationalist, women rights activist, and veteran politician who served in various political and public places.
The opposition also suspended their boycott to attend today’s sitting. Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga described Mpanga as a spirited patriot, a mother and incorruptible leader, and a key pillar in the democratization of Uganda.
Mpuuga, who served with Mpanga in the Buganda Kingdom, reiterated her contribution to the review of education policies in Uganda.
Other legislators poured in their glowing tribute to the late and asked Government officials to emulate Mpanga who served in different positions in Government but never engaged in corruption, saying Uganda is losing the war on corruption
