21 Aug TRIBUTE TO HON. RHODA KALEMA
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Canon Hon. Rhoda Kalema (1929–2025)
Dear Friends and Supporters,
It is with heavy hearts that we, the entire team at Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), join the nation and the world in mourning the passing of an extraordinary woman, Canon Hon. Rhoda Kalema Nsibirwa, the beloved mother of our Founder and CEO, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka. Canon Hon. Kalema passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the age of 96 at Nairobi Hospital.
Canon Hon. Rhoda Kalema’s life was marked by unwavering dedication to faith, family, justice, and public service. Often referred to as the “Mother of the Ugandan Parliament”, she opened doors for countless women leaders and mentored individuals of all ages with compassion, wisdom, and courage. Her commitment to peace, democracy, and empowerment will forever inspire us.
“My mother, Canon Hon. Rhoda Kalema, was not only a guiding light in my life but also a pillar of strength and inspiration for CTPH. Her unwavering faith, generosity, and commitment to justice and conservation shaped the foundation of our work. Her legacy will forever live on in the lives she touched and the communities we serve.”
Hon. Rhoda Kalema has been a strong supporter of CTPH since its inception. She provided invaluable moral and financial support, consistently encouraging the team to stay resilient in the face of challenges. In 2000, she embarked on a memorable trek to see mountain gorillas with Dr. Gladys in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, showcasing her personal commitment to wildlife conservation and community health.
Her support has played a crucial role in shaping CTPH’s vision and impact.
“In 2000, she worked tirelessly alongside me to secure letters of recommendation from various levels of the Local Councils and the Resident District Commissioners and other offices, helping to pave the way for CTPH to be registered as a Non-Governmental Organization. She made history as the first donor to CTPH when it was established in 2003, even offering her vehicle to ensure our operations ran smoothly during challenging times. Mama Rhoda remained a vital advisor for CTPH’s functions, development, and governance. We have lost a pillar and an icon who will be deeply missed by us all. I pray that God Almighty blesses and guides her family, who will carry forward her remarkable legacy.”
May her soul rest in eternal peace and power. We at CTPH are forever grateful to Mama Rhoda for her guidance, generosity, and indomitable spirit. Her legacy lives on through the lives she changed and the work we continue to do.
For inquiries, please contact us at supporter@ctph.org or Donate today and support our vision of a thriving gorilla population with thriving local communities..
Till we meet again,
From all of us at Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH)
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