President Museveni has paid tribute to departed Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal, saying she rejected requests to work with Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
“On a certain day, while monitoring rebel communications, Vincent Otti (LRA commander) contacted Ogwal, suggesting that, being a Langi, she should be fighting against the NRM,” said Museveni on Tuesday night.
“However, she steadfastly stood her ground and rejected the misguided path of the rebels,” he added.
The 77-year-old former UPC stalwart succumbed to cancer this past Thursday at a hospital in India.
Museveni said, “Hon. Ogwal was a leader of development and definitely not corrupt. Even when she was in the Parliamentary Commission, you couldn’t hear any dirt on her.”
The President, who was accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni, described Ogwal as her “dear sister” whom he would miss.
“I feel sad because of the politics of fragmentation. We couldn’t work together fully although we had similar qualities,” said Museveni, adding, “I have not worked optimally with Hon. Cecilia Ogwal but I can tell you, when I finally met her, I discovered that she is a patriot.”
Museveni said this is a lesson to us that don’t relinquish opportunities to work together if you can.
“Ogwal was really a very good leader but her contribution was suppressed by the bad atmosphere created by that politics of hate.”
Ogwal served as the Acting Secretary General of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) from 1985 to 1992, during which she heavily criticised President Museveni’s government.
She remained a high-ranking official in the UPC political party until 2004
During the 2006 parliamentary elections, she lost her Lira Municipality seat to Jimmy Akena, the son of UPC founder Milton Obote.
Politics
“Despite belonging to different political parties, we often worked closely together,” said Museveni, emphasising, “Her ability to work with the NRM taught us the importance of collaboration despite our differences.”
“Cissy (Ogwal) was a strong and ethical leader who rejected the politics of hatred, a sentiment shared by others like Mao (Norbert) and Akena (Jimmy).”
During a recent meeting in Barelegi, said Museveni, “Ogwal expressed a desire for a follow-up discussion, which sadly can no longer happen.”
Museveni said when Cecilia Ogwal was elected to the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa, she was a big defender of Uganda. “You wouldn’t know that she wasn’t NRM. She was there leading the Ugandan group. She was so patriotic,” he added.
Ogwal managed various enterprises including a factory and a farm in Kiryandongo.