Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, expressed her condolences this morning to the family of the late Dokolo Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal. She described Ogwal as a mentor who played a crucial role in guiding new entrants to Parliament.
“It is unfortunate that she has passed away. We extend our condolences to the family, the people of Lango, and Uganda. Many of us young ladies joined Parliament because we admired Hon. Cecilia Ogwal; her articulate nature and the way she discussed issues concerning the country. We have lost a role model,” Among remarked.
Accompanied by Commissioner Hon. Mathias Mpuuga and other Members of Parliament, Speaker Among visited the bereaved family.
Hon. Ogwal, aged 77, breathed her last in India on Thursday morning after a brief illness.
Speaker Among conveyed her condolences to Mzee Lameck Ogwal, the late Ogwal’s husband, urging him to remain strong and faithful to God. She praised the late Ogwal as a role model to many.
The Secretary-General of Lango Parliamentary Group, Hon. Samuel Opio Acuti, a family relative, fondly referred to the late Ogwal as Atat, describing her as the “barometer and compass of Lango.”
“Atat was someone of seniority. When I was going to stand for Kole North Constituency, it was in this sitting room that she gave me blessings. I last talked to her about two weeks ago. We have lost an iron lady, a vocal and strong-hearted woman,” he expressed.
Bugweri County Member of Parliament, Hon. Abdu Katuntu, acknowledged that Ogwal’s sitting room in Bugolobi marked the beginning of his political journey 30 years ago.
“I wouldn’t be a politician, but this sitting room changed me from being a lawyer to a politician… Hon. Cecilia was a great woman who would assert her authority,” Katuntu stated.
Parliamentary Commissioner, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, remembered Ogwal as a rare breed of politician.
“Cecilia was a household name. Every time she picked up a microphone, she spoke for the country and its people. A rare breed of politician because you would not be ashamed of what she spoke,” he reflected.
Ogwal, one of the longest-serving legislators since 1996, held positions on the Committee on Physical Infrastructure and the Committee on Budget at the time of her passing. She also served as Uganda’s representative to the Pan African Parliament (PAP) and Parliamentary Commissioner.
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