The Dokolo Woman Member of Parliament Cecilia Ogwal has died in India from cancer-related illness the morning of Thursday 18th January.
Ogwal has been in the Ugandan Parliament since the commencement of elections after the war of the National Resistance Army.
Kizza Besigye, Uganda’s opposition leader for two decades eulogized Cecilia; “one of the most effective Ugandan politicians behind a mic anywhere anytime has gone to be with the Lord! A devout Christian, suave diplomat, a great family woman with sharp intellect and great sense of humour, will be sorely missed! Heartfelt condolences to Mzee Lameck and the entire family, relatives and friends. Rest in peace Imat Cecilia Atim Ogwal.”
Besigye was leader of Ogwal’s political party the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) from 2005 to 2012 but continues to have a dominant presence over the party’s brand more than a decade after relinquishing its presidency.
Ogwal crossed from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) to FDC in 2011, after serving as the former’s Acting Secretary General from 1985 to 1992. In 1994, she became part of the Constituent Assembly (CA) which promulgated the 1995 constitution.
In the 2006 elections, Ogwal lost her Lira Municipality seat to Milton Obote’s son Jimmy Akena. Sensing that she would not defeat Akena for the UPC flag, she switched to the FDC in 2011 and stood for the Woman MP position in Dokolo district.
Sister, Mother
In an undated video clip, Ogwal is seen bashing president Yoweri Museveni for addressing the people of Northern Uganda without talking about the girl child. She goes ahead to lament about child mothers and other ills hogging girl children in the region. However, she also thanks him for the far he has brought the women of Uganda. It is rare for a member of the opposition to thank the president for anything good in this country.
A photograph of Cecilia Ogwal and President Museveni hugging each other is yet another rarity on the Ugandan scene. The Ugandan president is not one known to show such affection in public, but for his “sister” Ogwal, he broke norm.
In various State of the Nation addresses, his comradely regard for the veteran MP is visible. It is even said that Ogwal was a supplier of grain to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), a deal that is said to be impossible without the blessing of the Commander in Chief.
Minister Frank Tumwebaze of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries eulogized Ogwal as a motherly figure. “When I was first appointed Minister in 2012, she told me; ‘my son, as your mother in this house, I will be rebuking you if you ashame me and do stupid mistakes.’ And truly, every time she criticised/rebuked me on issues of work for the sectors I led, I would listen and know it is out of love and good will. True parent she was to many of us!”
Miss Uganda
In the first Ugandan Republic, 1969, Cecilia Ogwal became Miss Uganda.
She died at the age of 77.
