Cecilia Ogwal: A Stateswoman Remembered for Patriotism, Integrity, and Political Legacy”

The government has accorded a state funeral to the late Woman MP for Dokolo District, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, who was laid to rest at her marital home in Kole district, Northern Uganda, on Saturday. Vice President Jessica Alupo served as the chief mourner, representing HE Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who praised the deceased for her patriotism and dedication to the progress of the country.

Ogwal, who passed away on January 18, 2024, in India during specialized cancer treatment, received mourning from various quarters. Unlike previous instances where some Ugandans mocked or celebrated the demise of prominent figures, Cecilia Ogwal was mourned by the opposition, independent members of Parliament, women’s groups, President Museveni, and his ruling NRM party.

Despite her frequent opposition and critique of Museveni and his policies, Cecilia, born in Dokolo District on December 6, 1946, maintained a clean reputation. She once demanded a medal from Museveni, claiming her role in upholding the rights of women and the girl child.

The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, praised the deceased for her integrity and avoidance of corruption, recognizing her contribution to the country’s development.

Cecilia Atim Ogwal’s early education took place in local schools in Uganda. In 1967, at 21, she enrolled at the University of East Africa in Nairobi, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1970. She also held a Certificate in Human Resources Management from the Institute of Public Administration (now Uganda Management Institute) and two other certificates from the Haggai Institute in Singapore and Australia on Christian-Based Values and Public-Private Partnership, respectively.

Her career included roles at the Uganda Embassy in Kenya, the Uganda Advisory Board of Trade, and the founding of the Housing Finance Bank. She served as the Chairperson of Uganda Development Bank from 1981 to 1986. Engaging in politics, Ogwal was the Acting Secretary General of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) from 1985 to 1992 and played a role in drafting the 1995 Ugandan Constitution as part of the Constituent Assembly in 1994. She remained a high-ranking official in the UPC until 2004.

Despite losing her Lira Municipality seat in the 2006 parliamentary elections, she later won the Women’s Representative seat for Dokolo District in 2011, switching to the Forum for Democratic Change party.