By East Africa Gazette
Dokolo Northern Uganda
TRIBUTE
President Yoweri Museveni commended the late Cecilia Ogwal for challenging traditional injustices and prejudices against women.
“It is with great sadness that I received the news of the passing on of the late Cecilia Ogwal the Woman Member of Parliament for Dokolo District”
This was contained in a speech read to him by the Vice President Jessica Alupo at the burial ceremony Saturday January 27, 2024 at Dog Gudu Cell Alito Town Council, Kole village Dokolo District.
Museveni said “on behalf of the Government, on behalf of the NRM Party and on my own behalf, I extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family, Parliament of Uganda, people of Lango and the entire nation”.
Ogwal 77, died on January 18, 2024 in India after a short illness, she died of cancer. She was laid to rest today at her marital home in Dog Gudu Cell Alito Town Council Kole village Dokolo District.
Museveni added “My prayers and thoughts are with the family, at this trying moment. May the Almighty God grant you the courage and fortitude, to go through this moment of loss and sorrow. Death has robbed the family of a pillar and indeed, the entire nation of a very hardworking citizen, politician and diplomat”.
Ogwal will be remembered for her great contribution towards national development, she was an advocate for women and the girl child, He said.
Through her determination and discipline, she will be remembered as an icon of women empowerment and emancipation, He alluded.
During her tenure as Woman Member of Parliament, she has served on various committees of Government establishments, she was a member of the parliamentary commission, and she was also part of the team that drafted the 1995 constitution of Uganda, founder member Housing Finance Bank, Chairperson Uganda Development Bank and many others.
She was a woman of many accomplishments. Parliament has indeed lost a vocal outspoken member and role model who will be greatly missed.
He described her democratic principles as cross cutting, despite subscribing to the opposition party her opinions meant good for all Ugandans. He said the NRM party opened space for all women and we have been at the forefront advocating and enacting policies that enable women to thrive and used her opportunity to serve this country well.
Museveni said NRM has proved to all and sundry that women are capable of making a significant contribution to national development and stability.
The NRM government will continue to stand as a vanguard of justice, peace, security, democracy and reconciliation, he explained.
He said the ideals of Anti-sectarianism, unity, liberation and transformation shall always guide our mission for a prosperous Uganda. Our nation has been privileged to associate and work with such a resourceful person of her Caliber and vision.
She has left a rich legacy as an honest selfless hardworking leader, a pan Africanist and an advocate. While we mourn the death of Ogwal, we thank God for the life she shared with us.
Our condolences go out to Mzee Lameck Ogwal, her children, relatives, the people of Lango and the entire nation, he concluded
During the burial ceremony, hundreds of top Government official attended ceremony including Thomas Tayebwa, Speaker of Parliament, Norbert Mao, Minister for Justice ,other Ministers , Opposition leaders Joel Ssenyonyi, Members of Parliament , Religious leaders and public