By Mukembo Wilfred
FDC legislator Stella Apolot Isodo, the Ngora District Woman Member of Parliament, passed away on Saturday at Kampala Hospital, just two days after she was defeated in the general election.
Isodo, a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), died while receiving treatment in the intensive care unit. Her death was confirmed by Ngora County lawmaker Juliet Achayo Lodou.
The legislator’s passing comes at the end of a grueling re-election campaign that she conducted while battling serious illness. Josephine Pedun, a newcomer representing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), was declared winner of the Ngora race with 17,010 votes. Isodo came second with 11,334 votes.
FDC President Patrick Amuriat said Isodo had been flown abroad last year for specialized medical treatment and returned shortly before the campaign period.
“She underwent a successful surgery abroad and returned with a hope of recovering well to start campaigns,” Amuriat said. He noted that although Isodo was too ill to campaign actively, her agents worked on her behalf throughout the race.
“She would not have lost that seat if she were not sick,” Amuriat added.
Isodo also served as spokesperson of the Teso Parliamentary Group and was widely regarded as a committed and approachable leader who maintained cordial working relationships across party lines.
“It’s a sad moment for her family because her stepbrother is being buried on Sunday, Jan. 18, and now her,” said Juliet Agonyo, the Speaker of Soroti City.
Born on Oct. 25, 1974, Stella Apolot Isodo was 51 years old. Funeral arrangements had not yet been announced by press time.
