What Uganda Rt Hon Anita Annet Among and Uganda Members of Parliament said about the Late Hon Cecilia Ogwal?
The nation received the untimely death of Hon. Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal, the District Woman Representative of Dokolo, warmly referred to as “Atat” in Parliament; a title meaning a respectable grandmother in Lango, which occurred on Thursday, 18 January, 2024.Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was an excellent politician who, with vibrancy, articulation, and logic advocated for the rights of women and children and spoke the truth to power with unwavering confidence and conviction, yet with respect and was an indisputable political icon in the post-independence Uganda;
Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was a fountain of knowledge and wisdom, a member of both the young and the old in the political arena, a nationalist who loved her country with passion and promoted it both at the local and international fora and a Pan Africanist who fearlessly defended the African identity on a global scale;
Here below is what the leaders of the parliament of Uganda and members of Parliament said.
RT HON ANITA AMONG: I would like to thank His Excellency the President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for honoring Hon. Cecilia Ogwal with a befitting send-off in the form of lying in state and a gun salute, as he has communicated. This is testimony of her remarkable contribution to this country. Hon. Ogwal was a strong woman who left a trail wherever she went, yet she was not the kind of person who craved for attention. Her humility, despite her massive profile, is a lesson for all of us to emulate. She loved to see everyone happy and would withhold even critical information about her life and health if she sensed that it would make anyone sad. This is why most of you did not get to know that she was not well; because she wanted it treated as something private.
RT HON ANITA AMONG: Parliament takes cognizance of the profound, patriotic and Pan-Africanist service that Hon. Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal has rendered to Parliament of Uganda, the people of Dokolo District, the Lango community and the people of Uganda and Africa at large. -www.publicopinions.net
RT HON ANITA AMONG: We would like to thank the party that brought Hon. Ogwal to Parliament; the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), but as she legislated here, she legislated as a Member of the Parliament of Uganda.
RT HON ANITA AMONG: Hon. Ogwal was an accomplished Member of Parliament who put her country first in all her deeds. She spoke eloquently for all Ugandans and not just for the people of Dokolo or for her political party. It was about Uganda first, the next would follow. In a special way, I would like to extend my gratitude to the general public for the outpouring tribute. Hon. Ogwal’s death has manifested a true spirit of goodness and an indication that the deceased lived a righteous life, which should be emulated by all of us.
RT HON ANITA AMONG ANNET: We need to serve humanity with dignity, respect, and equality as these are the attributes that Hon. Cecilia Ogwal had in her life. I want to urge you, honorable colleagues, to come together and stand with the family to ensure that we walk together on this sorrowful journey as we give Atat a decent send-off. Hon. Ogwal was a true Christian; she believed in prayer. She would come to you and say, “Let us pray for one minute”, she would pray for 30 minutes. For her, it was about prayer. She always put God first in whatever she did. She was a distinct legislator with a strong national outlook, a remarkable public figure and an advocate for a just and fair society that works for everybody. I urge the bereaved family to stand strong and further the legacy left by the deceased. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal is an irreplaceable icon who will be dearly missed by this House. When I would want to have a balanced debate, I would just look to my left. I am wondering how I will be looking on my left. Who is that person that can always come and not talk politics, but talk for this country?
RT HON THOMAS TAYEBWA: Hon. Cecilia Ogwal had a long notable public service career as a proficient accountant, an ardent champion of corporate governance and has served Uganda in many non-political capacities, including chairing several governing boards in the finance and governance sector.
RT HON THOMAS TAYEBWA: Hon. Cecilia Ogwal has been a competent leader who, together with others, strengthened constitutionalism, democracy, parliamentary practice, political tolerance, rule of law and encouraged cohesion among different shades of opinions. For her exemplary leadership, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni bestowed upon her the Uganda Leadership Award in 2023.
RT HON ROBINAH NABBANJA: On Thursday, 18 January 2024, the country woke up to the sad and unfortunate news of the passing on of Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, the District Woman Representative for Dokolo. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, the iconic leader, succumbed to cancer-related illness in India where she had gone for cancer treatment. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was born on 12 June 1946 in Agwata in the then Lira District, but in present day Dokolo District, Lango sub-region in Northern Uganda to the late Bonifacio Opio and Rosemary Apio. She rose to prominence as a career woman, politician and businessperson. The late Hon. Cecilia Ogwal took her primary and secondary education from local schools before joining Gayaza High School for an Advanced Certificate of Education, completing it in 1967. In 1969, she obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the East African University in Nairobi. In 1995, she obtained a Certificate in Christian Based Leadership from Haggai Institute, Singapore. In 2007, she obtained a certificate in Public Private Partnership from Australia.
RT HON NABBANJA ROBINAH: Hon. Cecilia Ogwal has had an illustrious career that spans over 50 years in both the public and private sectors, which shaped her identity as an Iron Lady. From 1972 to 1977, she was the Director, Uganda Breweries and Uganda Pepsi Cola. From 1972 to 1974, she was the General Manager Operations, Uganda Advisory Board. From 1981 to 1986, she was Chairperson, Uganda Development Bank as well as acting Secretary-General, Uganda People’s Congress. From 1993 to 1996, she was the Chairperson, Presidential Policy, Uganda People’s Congress. From 1994 to 1995, she was the Constituent Assembly Delegate for Lira Municipality. From 1996 to 2006, she was the Member of Parliament, Lira Municipality. From 2006 to date, she has been the Woman Member of Parliament, Dokolo District. From 2011 to 2016, she was the Chief Opposition Whip. From 2016 to 2018, she served as Commissioner of Parliament. Madam Speaker, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, in her extraordinary life, has been a wife and mother. She has been married to Lameck Ogwal, mothering seven biological and many adopted children. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal will be remembered for her tireless dedication to public service. She was an eloquent legislator who legislated objectively and with passion. She has been a nationalist who always fronted the country first above any political affiliations. She has left a footprint as a true patriot in advocating for women’s rights and the girl-child.
RT HON NABBANJA ROBINAH: Although the late Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was an Opposition politician, she was a good friend to H.E. the President and that is why he always referred to her as his sister. I would like to thank the President for the support he gave the deceased and her husband when they flew to India for treatment after both of them fell sick at the same time. I also thank him for having accorded the deceased an official burial in appreciation of her dedicated service to the country. I thank the President for according Hon. Cecilia Ogwal a special sitting in honour of her dedicated service to Parliament. The Government of Uganda wishes to extend its profound sympathies to the family, the people of Lango region and the people of Uganda at large. May the Almighty God grant her soul eternal rest.
RT HON JOEL SSENYONYI: Hon. Cecilia Atim Ogwal under Rule 60 of our Rules of Procedure. Madam Speaker, as I get started, I would like to convey a message of condolences from Hon. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert who was in the 10th Parliament with Hon. Cecilia Ogwal. Also, I register condolences from Col Dr Kizza Besigye who was in the Constituent Assembly together with Hon. Atat Cecilia Ogwal and from Hon. Erias Lukwago who was in the Ninth Parliament. Even though Hon. Cecilia was not in Parliament at the time, they were in the trenches together. They would have loved to be here in the gallery but they are unable to because they are under house arrest and some, on the run from the military.
RT HON JOEL SSENYONYI: The nation has again suffered a great loss with the passing of Hon. Cecilia Atim Ogwal, Dokolo District Woman Representative in Parliament. We condole with the family, relatives, friends, the people of Lango sub-region and the country at large upon this untimely loss. While we mourn the loss of our gallant colleague, we pay tribute and celebrate a life that was well lived. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was a stateswoman of outstanding and unparalleled dignity, a mother, an inspirational leader, and one of the few politicians who exemplified impeccable work ethics and acted in the interest of her nation. She embodied peace and was an ardent advocate of affirmative action, the rights of women and the girl-child in particular, but above all, she was a champion of the rule of law and democratic governance.
RT HON JOEL SSENYONYI: While Uganda may never see another Atat Cecilia Ogwal, she has inspired countless men and women of valour. She deposited herself in many of us. Throughout her life as a leader, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal consistently exhibited compassion and a strong commitment to fostering our national democracy. She gained notoriety when she blatantly opposed the monolithic movement system which had outlawed multi-partyism in our country. It was this bold stance that earned her the appellation “Iron Lady” – a respect she greatly walked with in life and guarded in action and candid speech. It is with great respect and gratitude that we extend this tribute to Atat, a true guardian of parliamentary institutional memory and a repository of rich experience.
RT HON JOEL SSENYONYI: we should credit Atat Cecilia Ogwal for her effort in the global campaign for women emancipation and empowerment in our country. Women emancipation and empowerment are broadly encompassing concepts and require concerted efforts and a comprehensive approach to fruition. It is not enough to boast about the number of women in leadership. These statistics should be accompanied by equitable and efficient service delivery. The citizenry desire leadership that is cognisant of the plight and aspirations of its citizens and an economy that creates opportunities for all. This august House should take cognisance of Hon. Cecilia Ogwal’s achievements and wise counsel which will forever be relieved in her towering legacy and profound impact on the downtrodden. She was an astute leader, seasoned politician, excellent banker, successful business personality and a pioneer on various fronts. She was one of the founders of the Housing Finance Bank and the first female Chairperson of the Uganda Development Bank. Her tenure as the Secretary-General of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) from 1985 to l992 was quite transformative and entrenched the UPC. She also played a pivotal role in the Constituent Assembly and participated in the drafting and promulgation of the I995 Uganda Constitution.
RT HON JOEL SSENYONYI: I wish to remind Ugandans that we have not yet attained the desired freedoms and enjoyment of human rights guaranteed under the Constitution that she vehemently fought for. It is our constitutional obligation to pursue full realisation, respect, uphold and protection of our rights. This obligation, Madam Speaker, transcends our political affiliations and stature in society; what is required of us is to rise to the occasion and demand for what rightly and constitutionally belongs to us. Therefore, do not wait for another Atat Cecilia to rise and fight for you. Rather be a Cecilia Ogwal in your own right and for the common good. The passing of our esteemed colleague, Hon. Ogwal, and many other similar deaths from foreign hospitals, continue to expose the lacuna and deficiencies in Uganda’s health care system. Many Ugandans succumb to treatable diseases, a consequence attributed to corruption and failure of the Government to prioritise the health sector. This is why a handful of able Ugandans continue to seek medical attention abroad due to lack of confidence in the country’s capacity to provide comprehensive healthcare for its citizens. This lamentable reality highlights the urgency of addressing systemic issues within Uganda’s healthcare sector to ensure that our sovereign nation is not only capable, but also trusted to administer proper medical treatment to all Ugandans.
RT HON JOEL SSENYONYI: To the best of my recollection from the newsroom where I was up to date, I have known Atat Cecilia as a leader who detested corruption in all its moral and legal forms. We should, therefore, applaud Atat for her clean record and for advocating for equitable sharing of national resources to ensure national cohesion and balanced national development. We urge this august House to seize every lawful opportunity and ensure that development disparities plaguing our country are thoroughly addressed through the budgetary process and effective legislation. As the Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens.” We celebrate a life well-lived and implore ourselves to emulate Atat and the values that she embodied. May the Almighty God grant her eternal rest. Rest in peace, Hon. Cecilia Atim Barbara Ogwal.
RT HON JOEL SSENYONYI: I thank the President for having been a good friend of Atat; those two were inseparable. We may disagree but respectfully. Let us talk about the good deeds of Atat because this is the last time we will have her here.
HON. DAVID ZIJJAN INDEPENDENT FROM BUTEMBE COUNTY, JINJA): On behalf of the Independents, I pay tribute to the late Hon. Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal for her dedicated service to the republic. How does one sum up the life and legacy of such a leader towering in every respect? Permit me, if I may, Madam Speaker, to allude to the wise counsel of St Paul, as he gave charge to his protégé, Timothy, in the book of 1 Timothy 6:5-8, which reads: “Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. The world out there assumes that politicians are self-seekers who pursue self-aggrandisement and enrichment at the expense of the public. If such an assumption had any iota of truth, Hon. Cecilia would be the exception because hers has been a life without scandal.
HON. DAVID ZIJJAN INDEPENDENT FROM BUTEMBE COUNTY, JINJA): She lived and served beyond self, always propagating the best interests of the country, especially the rights and welfare of the girl[1]child. She stood for values without regard to political correctness. She was content with her modest means, debated with facts, appreciated the times and guided us in this House on what we ought to do as leaders. Finally, she did not shy away from telling the truth, no matter what others would think. (Applause) For example, even though she had a different political orientation to His Excellency the President, she did not shy away from admitting that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a great leader who has done great good for the country.
H.E JESSICA ALUPO- THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA: On behalf of the Office of the Vice President, my own behalf and indeed the people of Katakwi District, I would like to extend sincere condolences to her family, the people of Lango, the Parliament of Uganda and the country at large. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was a great stateswoman who loved her country and she will be missed dearly by all the people of Uganda and particularly us, the women and girls. I therefore, reiterate what I said before; that I stand to support the motion moved by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister and I state that I entirely associate myself with all the contents of the motion. We can say so many things about Hon. Cecilia Ogwal but I would like to keep it to the motion. I pray that the Almighty God grants the entire family the courage and strength to go through this trying moment. I thank His Excellency, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, for giving her an official burial. Relatedly, I thank you for convening a special session to allow us to pay tribute to her. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
HON. HAMSON OBUA- THE GOVERNMENT CHIEF WHIP: First, I recollect my maiden meeting with her while I was a child. Second, to put on record the moment she felt a bit disappointed in me in my political life and third, to state the moment that changed my world view on who she was. In 1994 at the age of 14 years while a student at Lango College – it equally has handsome men and they are here in this Parliament – I had the opportunity to represent the children of Northern Uganda at the Parliamentary Mock Debate during Constituent Assembly (CA) when it was considering the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution. That formed my maiden meeting with Hon. Cecilia Ogwal (Atat) at the age of 14 years while in senior one representing the children of Northern Uganda. What we debated then was what the children of Uganda thought would be embedded in our national Constitution as the rights of the children of Uganda and that forms part of Chapter 4 of our national Constitution. In 2001–2002, I was a youth leader; the Chairperson, District Youth Council of Lira and a Member of the National Executive Committee of the National Youth Council of Uganda. During that transitional process from the movement system to full multiparty, we all know that Hon. Cecilia Ogwal’s (Atat) political origin is Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). While in leadership, as a youth, she managed to persuade all the youth leaders to join UPC with the exception of Obua Denis Hamson, the then District Youth Council Chairman of Lira and a Member of the National Executive Committee. I state that much as Atat felt disappointed, she respected my opinion and I salute her for that. All the two district youth councillors were UPC, the district delegate to the National Youth Council was turned to UPC, my secretary for finance, who is the current Chairman, Local Council V Dokolo District on FDC ticket and one of their national vice chairpersons was equally taken by Atat. I remained where I was. Later on, when I narrated to Atat the reason I made a choice to support the movement, currently the National Resistance Movement, I told her my childhood story to the effect that in 1986 to 1987, when the National Resistance Army took over power, there was a notorious character called Ojuko who came and traversed the entire Lango. I still recall, as a child, that Ojuko drove us up to Abako to look for Agetta. We walked with the family from Abako up to Lira and ended up at the home of one of my maternal uncles. When I told Atat that, that formed the basis of why I support the movement, President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement; because they saved the life of Obua and family when he was young, she respected that.
HON. HAMSON OBUA- THE GOVERNMENT CHIEF WHIP: One moment I will live to remember was in 2012, when Lango was confronted with a land conflict in Otuke that led to the death of one of the cultural leaders. We assembled as members of the Lango Parliamentary Group and had a visit to Otuke District. While in Otuke, Atat played the role of an atat in the culture of the Lango. The situation was exceedingly volatile. That meeting of Otuke culminated in another meeting with the President in Rwakitura on the land question. That was another very volatile meeting. It took the wisdom of the Hon. Atat lying here, knowledge of the Hon. Atat, understanding and a wealth of experience. That is the elder I am talking about. In any society, there is always this one elder that everyone would coalesce around when it comes to a critical moment when there is a storm and Atat would be that elder for Lango. When there was a storm regarding the matters of land, Atat was the only one who could calm down the storm in the presence of the President. Hon. Atat, I thank you, and I say that your commitment, dedication, zeal and stamina in fighting for the cause you believed in, will live as your legacy. We can only promise you, as the Joshua generation, as envisaged in the Bible, that we will try our best to follow in your footsteps. Rest in peace, Hon. Atat Cecilia.
HON BETTY AMONGI- THE MINISTER OF GENDER, LABOUR AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: I pay tribute to the woman who broke the glass ceiling for other women in this country. When we talk about breaking the glass ceiling, what do we mean? We mean a woman who has broken barriers that would otherwise have stopped her from ascending to that powerful position. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal stood first with the men, in a period where standing with men as a woman was not easy. They were here with Hon. Winnie Byanyima, and Hon. Specioza Kazibwe; they were less than five women who stood with men. Number two, Hon.Cecilia Ogwal was Assistant Secretary-General of a political party, a position that would be occupied by men in most cases, but she occupied that position. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was a woman who championed issues that were always championed by men. In most circumstances, Cecilia was the one who drove the multi-party agenda and men followed her to drive that agenda. In Northern Uganda, she drove the land question and the men followed her to ensure that customary land ownership was integrated into the Constitution of Uganda with the likes of the Chief Justice; that was Hon. Cecilia Ogwal. The issues that were male-dominated – she drove them. That is what we call breaking the barriers. Breaking the barriers where women would not otherwise be. Issues that women would otherwise not be doing. She, in the Constituent Assembly, with the likes of Hon. Matembe, Hon. Winnie Byanyima, Hon. Specioza and others, they institutionalised affirmative action in the Constitution. Most of the women here have come on affirmative action. She will forever be remembered for institutionalising women’s issues, policies and laws. She fought against gender-based violence, which is why today, we are in this colour. She ensured that everything she talked about, be it democracy or human rights, was engendered. She always reminded the President, Parliament and everybody to; number one, include women, two, ensure that girl-child is protected and ensure that women’s issues are mainstreamed in everything. I salute you, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal.Rest in Peace.
HON.DR RUTH ACENG- THE MINISTER OF HEALTH:I bring condolences from the people of Lira City where Imat Cecilia, served as a Member of Parliament for 10 years, from 1996 to 2006 when it was still a municipality. Condolences to the Parliament of Uganda, the family, the people of Lango, and the entire Government. Hon. Imat Cecilia Ogwal, also popularly known as Atat, mummy, or iron lady, was a prayer warrior, mentor, mediator, and a great advocate for the girl-child and women empowerment, a Nationalist and a Pan-Africanist. As one of the longest-serving legislators Hon. Imat Cecilia was committed to ensuring that our country develops in all aspects. Madam Speaker, allow me to highlight a few critical contributions, especially in the health sector, that stood out very prominently. She strongly supported the establishment by law of the specialised institutions, the Uganda Heart Institute and the Uganda Cancer Institute, emphasising the need to give autonomy to these institutions to function as specialities. In a special way, allow me to appreciate Uganda Cancer Institute for taking care of Atat before her demise.
HON.DR RUTH ACENG- THE MINISTER OF HEALTH:In the Ninth Parliament- I was the Director General of Health Services – she and many other Members put up a strong fight for the increase of the budget for the health sector to cater for the upgrade and construction of health centres III, to an extent that there was a stalemate for two weeks. Parliament could not pass the budget until the Government granted their request. Because of this effort, as of today, we have been able to upgrade 340 facilities under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) Programme and constructed 31 new ones. In addition, under the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programmes (AMCHP), we have upgraded 41 health centre IIs to health centre III and improved 40 health centres III, including equipping all of them. The total number came to 452. Madam Speaker, I hope somebody else will rise to that challenge. Number three is maternal and child health improvement. As a permanent member of the Committee on Budget, she always emphasised the need for Government to invest in maternal child health services to improve quality. She saw the high maternal and child mortality as a hindrance to the development of our country. No wonder, when the Uganda Bureau of Statistics released the results of the Uganda Demographic Health Survey in October last year, indicating that maternal mortality had dropped from 336 to 189 per 100,000 live births and under five mortalities had dropped from 64 to 52 from 2016 to 2022, she gave me a call to say, “well done my daughter but it is not yet enough. As long as women and children are still dying, you have to increase the effort.” Lastly, a very emotional one. Madam Speaker, Imat’s voice rose up on the issue of the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan at Uganda Cancer Institute. She would always ask why we cannot have a PET scan in the country to avoid referrals abroad for its use. For the last two financial years, she roared this concern in this Parliament.Rest in Peace Hon Cecilia Ogwal.
HON.DR RUTH ACENG- THE MINISTER OF HEALTH:Hon. Ogwal’s efforts were not in vain, although she did not live to use the PET scan, which was one of the reasons for her referral. Today, the process for procurement and installation are in progress and I believe that her family and all of us will be witnesses to this. In conclusion, Imat Cecilia was a great ally to the health sector in all aspects, whether it was drug availability, equipment, human resources, infrastructure or otherwise. The health sector will greatly miss her. Mummy, rest in eternal peace. Amen.
HON.DR CHRIS BARYOMUNSI- THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AND NATIONAL GUIDANCE: On behalf of the people of Kinkizi East Constituency in Kanungu, the Kigezi community as the Chairperson of Kigezi Parliamentary Forum and also on behalf of NRM where I serve as the Vice-Chairperson of the party for Western Uganda; I convey condolences to you, Madam Speaker, the honourable members of the House, the family of Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, our friend and colleague, the people of Lango and Northern Uganda and indeed, Ugandans, the FDC party where she belonged and the Opposition. In the Ninth Parliament, I served as a Parliamentary Commissioner and we used to prepare budgets for Parliament with Hon. Okupa here and others. One of the difficult moments was when we would reach the item of how many MPs we should budget for, who would die in that year – because supporting ourselves when we die is one of the Vote items – and we would be at pain to estimate how many. My prayer is that this does not happen again in this Parliament and in many other parliaments to come because it is sad. However, it is also a sad reminder that all of us have to take this journey in our lives. Therefore, we feel pain, saddened and our condolences go to everybody. Somebody said that “It is not the number of years in your life that matter but the life in your years.” At 77, Atat has had an impactful life. And if we were to speak about her, we can speak until the cows come home. We salute her because she was a voice of reason. She was a person who did not speak for the sake of speaking but every time she spoke, the direction would change in this House when there was a contentious matter. We have a lot to learn from her. Her mother and my mother were sick and they shared a room in the Uganda Heart Institute. We were spending nights together as MPs nursing our mothers. We had time to share. Her mother died first and mine died the following day so, we bonded and became very close. She was passionate about health like the Minister of Health said, but she became even much more passionate when I told her that we had Bills on the Uganda Cancer Institute and the Uganda Heart Institute, to bring to Parliament. She started visiting my office saying, “You must bring those Bills.” She mounted pressure on me as the Minister of State. Indeed, we brought the Bills and passed them into law. Since then, she even increased her passion for issues of health and other related items. We thank her for her contribution; she was a member of the Opposition but extremely respectful to everybody, including us, who serve in Government. I think tolerance and respect for each other is one great lesson we should pick from her plus many other causes, which she championed. We thank her family for looking after her and pray that the good Lord rests her soul in eternal peace. Thank you.
HON.NOBERT MAO- THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS: Those of us who were in the Sixth Parliament have a lot to say but many will be able to publish our tributes in the other media because time will not allow us to say all we would wish to say. The Members of the Sixth Parliament are both in this Chamber and in the gallery. I want to salute them for showing up in full force to remember a gallant stateswoman. I also wish to salute the spirit in which this debate is taking place. Imat Cecilia Ogwal was a fun-loving lady. I do not think she would be happy to see people mournful and being too solemn. The spirit in which we are debating is also a true spirit of the kind of person she was. Out there in the foyer where the body lay for viewing, I had a little chat with one of those who were with us in the Sixth Parliament, Hon. Dr Miria Matembe and I asked her, “What would you say?” She said, “Only one thing; Hon. Cecilia Ogwal was always for God and her country.” nothing summarises the person we are celebrating more than that. The Rotarians have the four-way test but I think she had a two-way test. Is it God’s will, and does it serve my country? Full stop. I also met our High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Nimisha Madhvani who said she celebrates Imat Cecilia Ogwal for advocating for more money to improve our embassies and the work of those who serve our country abroad. We had the CSPOC, which you presided over, Madam Speaker. We had NAM and now the G77+ China; we live in a global village.
MAJ. GEN. (RTD) MUHWEZI: I bring condolences from the people of Rujumbura, Rukungiri and from my family, especially my wife, Susan, who was a friend to Hon. Cecilia Ogwal. Many things have been talked about and I do not intend to repeat what has been said, in the interest of time. I would like to thank now the late Hon. Cecilia Ogwal for showing a difference in Opposition: to oppose without bitterness and being principled. Many people have talked about the Sixth Parliament. I was here and I know many people who were in the Sixth Parliament know that at one time, there was an unprecedented organisation, but she could not be whipped into simply following a group. I remember vividly when she refused, together with Hon. Ben Wacha and Hon. Okullo Epak. They said, “Let us first investigate.” She hated injustice wherever it was, on either side of the House. I thank her very much. I wish we turned this House into a debate of ideas – where we debate and disagree on ideas and in a very friendly way like she used to debate with a lot of humour. Mine is just to make that statement. Others have talked about her patriotism, and Pan[1]Africanism, which are true.
RT HON.REBECCA KADAGA-THE FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS: I bring condolences from Kamuli constituency, where Cecilia was a guest on 17 September 2022. She arrived unexpectedly as we were celebrating with my supporters, all the way from Dokolo. Condolences to “Mr Smart”. That is how she called her husband, Smart Ogwal- and the family. Secondly, I want to speak to her patriotism. One of the things we take for granted in this House is health insurance. When she was a Commissioner of Parliament – I think I can say this: We used to give Members money to pay for medical insurance, but they would not pay. When they fell sick, they would come to me and say, “you know” – so we would struggle. Where do we get money? We gave you money, you did not go to the insurance. She brought a proposal that we should pay directly to the insurance companies. So, I dispatched her together with Hon. Nabbanja. I sent them to Tanzania to check what the Parliament there does. I also sent them to Nairobi and to South Africa. We even sent her to India because she was trying to link Parliament to the hospitals in India so that we could have direct access. But, of course, we did not succeed on that. That is one of the things I credit her for in this House. She was really a Ugandan at heart. Many times, I went out with her – when I first travelled with Cecilia abroad, I was worried. I said, “what is she going to say at this meeting?” But, when we got there, she said, “Madam, I am a Ugandan, I will never speak against my country”. Throughout her tenure, this is what she did. She would defend vigorously. She would attack anyone who was trying to attack Uganda. I credit her for that. The other one was her relentless campaign for multi-party democracy. Cecilia campaigned and campaigned and campaigned. They used to quarrel with the President and everyone until, finally, we agreed that multi-party should come back. She is a voice that contributed to that. I want to thank God for her life. Here, I used to call her Hon. Ogwal, but in the office, I called her Atat. She is someone who would just enter and say, “this is Ogwal, I am here.” Then I say, “but you should have told me.” She would say, “no, no, it is okay. I am here.” She would just announce herself in that manner. That was Cecilia. We shall miss her. May God rest her soul in eternal peace.
HON. KIRYOWA KIWANUKA- THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: It is, indeed, a very sad day as we pay tribute to Hon. Cecilia. I have personally known Hon. Cecilia Ogwal outside politics for many years from the 1980s, when we went to school to Buddo Junior and Kings College Buddo with her children. We interacted with them as friends and we grew up to know them and know Hon. Cecilia Ogwal quite well. When I came to the House, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal came to my aid severally when I was trying to find my feet in this place. She personally advised me and even when I made mistakes, she never rebuked me on the Floor but took me outside in the lobby and guided me on what needed to be done right. I found that very refreshing and she always guided me and said, do not worry, as long as you are doing the right thing, just continue irrespective of the noise you may hear in the House. I thank her very much. She was bold and she made her points clear but she was always ready to listen and understand where you are coming from. She will be dearly missed. I send sincere condolence to my friends, my brothers, Moses, Nikki, Joshua and the twins. We are with you. We will stay with you. May the good Lord grant Mama eternal rest. God bless you.
HON. KIRYOWA KIWANUKA- THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: The name of Cecilia Ogwal graces more than 5,000 motions and Bills, a mentor and a friend to many of us. I think she was one of the greatest legislators of our time. I want to remember her for two things. The first is her defence and advocacy for faith and marriage issues. She defended the institution of marriage in practice and in action. I visited her at her home and I saw how she respected Smart Ogwal. Allow me, in one minute, tell a story of how I discovered this. One time, as the Minister of State for Planning in the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, there was an issue with money to National Medical Stores and she came here on the Floor of the House and attacked me aggressively. She said, “In fact, the blood of those who are dying now is in the hands of this young man.” She was here. I was going to see somebody in Kiruddu, people surrounded me and almost lynched me. I became scared, Madam Speaker. I called Mr Smart Ogwal, for two reasons. I wanted to know whether Mama had an issue at home because she had never attacked anybody in the House as she attacked me. I also wanted to report her so that in case something happens – and he is here – Mr Ogwal came. He drove, we sat in his car, a pickup, and I narrated my story and fears. Two days later, I met Cecilia Ogwal here in the lounge and she looked at me and said, “You wanted us to divorce, we are not going to divorce.” I knew that Mr Ogwal had done his job. I thank you very much, Mr Ogwal. She was a prayer warrior and an intercessor to the extent that she had earned her permanent place on the programme of the National Prayer Breakfast. Every 3rd or 4th October, she would call me and say, “Son, what role are you giving me at the prayer breakfast?” She is one of the people who could pray and speak to God about somebody in the room without fear or favour. Rest in Peace Mummy Cecilia Ogwal.