By Racheal N Namuli
Hundreds of mourners gathered at Entebbe Municipal Council today to pay their respects to Speaker Modesta Tezikyabbiri, who passed away last night after a prolonged battle with high blood pressure and diabetes. She had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit for over three months.
Tezikyabbiri, a dedicated public servant, began her political career in 2002 when she was elected as the councillor representing persons with disabilities. Her advocacy came from lived experience she became paralyzed in both legs and relied on a wheelchair for mobility.
Before ascending to the role of Speaker, Modesta served as Deputy Speaker for three consecutive terms, earning admiration across the council for her dedication and leadership.
Beyond politics, she was a passionate humanitarian. As a mother of two, she was also the patron of Welfare School in Entebbe, which currently supports over 800 children, many of them living with disabilities. Her commitment to inclusive education and disability rights was unwavering.
Through her charitable initiative, the Modesta Foundation, she brought hope and tangible support to many in the Entebbe community. The foundation provided mobility aids such as wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers, along with food relief to hundreds of people living with disabilities in and around Entebbe.
During a special council sitting held in her honor, Entebbe Municipal leaders led by Mayor Fabrice Rulinda paid tribute to her legacy. Rulinda announced that the council will soon install an elevator at the municipal building one of Modesta’s final advocacy efforts aimed at making public offices accessible to all.
“As a council, we shall miss a very hardworking person. In a few weeks, we shall have an elevator at the municipal council, as it was the deceased’s request to cater for persons with disabilities,” the mayor stated.
The lack of an elevator had long been a challenge for people with disabilities seeking services at the municipal offices. Modesta’s push for accessibility marked yet another milestone in her enduring fight for inclusivity.
Modesta Tezikyabbiri will be laid to rest tomorrow at Our Lady of Virgins Kisubi Catholic Parish Cemetery.
Her life and work remain a testament to the belief that disability is not inability.
