Edith Katende Mufumbiro, the wife of National Unity Platform deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, has died after a prolonged battle with cancer, drawing sympathy from opposition supporters and renewed attention to her husband’s continued detention.
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi announced her passing in a statement released Wednesday morning, saying she died shortly after 3:00am. He described her as a “dear sister and comrade” and said her husband remained in custody at Luzira Upper Prison at the time of her death.
According to Kyagulanyi, Mufumbiro had repeatedly applied for bail to care for his ailing wife but remained on remand over charges of unlawful drilling linked to an alleged incident at the National Unity Platform headquarters on February 12, 2025. Defence lawyers previously argued that on the day in question, he was attending to his wife at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago.
Fellow Ugandans,
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our dear sister and comrade, Edith Katende Mufumbiro, the wife of our Deputy Spokesperson, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro.
Edith passed on after 3:00am today following a hard-fought battle with cancer. At the time… pic.twitter.com/dJEMmndMcm
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) April 8, 2026
Edith Katende largely stayed out of frontline politics but became known within opposition circles during her husband’s legal battles. Her illness was frequently cited in court as part of arguments for bail, with supporters saying she required constant care.
Her death has triggered emotional reactions from political activists and supporters, many describing her as resilient despite illness and the strain of her husband’s detention. Several messages circulating on social media mourned her as a “strong wife” who endured both personal illness and prolonged separation from her husband.
Mufumbiro remains on remand as court proceedings continue, while family members and colleagues prepare burial arrangements for Katende.
