Publication date: Tuesday, 15th November, 2005
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By James Odong
Born January 22 1965 in Abei village in Kwera sub-county, Dokolo in Lira.
Studied in Ikwera Primary School, Lango College and Makerere High School.
Started retail business in Lira town during S6 vacation.
Joined Makerere University in 1988.
Opened Felista Pharmacy Lira town in 1990, currently one of the biggest supplier of drugs in then north.
Managing director Felista (Felix Star) Ltd., a private company involved in transport, medical supplies and construction work.
Graduated with a BA Economics and Geography in 1991.
Appointed state minister for parliamentary affairs in 2001.
l Currently state minister for youth and children affairs.
IF size were a determinant in political performance, you would easily dismiss the slender state minister for youth and children affairs Felix Okot Ogong as a no body.
But to the opposition MPs who have experienced the devastating effects of the political hurricane unleashed on them as a result of his mobilisation skills, he is the politician to watch and be very afraid of.
Ogong’s claim to political fame started way back in 1996 when he defeated his uncle Levi Okodi Macpio to join Uganda’s legislature at a tender age of 31, making him one of the youngest MPs in the sixth Parliament.
Little did the people of Dokolo constituency, who entrusted him to be their ambassador, know that they had just sent to Parliament not only ministerial material but also a suave political operator who would soon be in the thick of the country’s politics.
Hardly two years into the business of law making, Ogong’s talents could not be hidden any more. He was in 1998 elected the vice chairperson of the powerful Movement Parliamentary Caucus to deputise Prof. Gilbert Bukenya now vice President.
When Bukenya became the vice president in 2001, Ogong assumed the chairmanship of the caucus, which he steered until he was also appointed state minister for parliamentary affairs.
It is a public secret in political circles that all MPs such as Bukenya and Charles Bakkabulindi (workers) who served as Movement Caucus chiefs were later appointed ministers. Only Maj. James Kinobe (Katikamu north) did not end up as a minister after serving as chairman of the caucus.
In terms of opportunities to interact with and mobilise MPs, the removal of Ogong from the leadership of the caucus to take charge of parliamentary affairs was like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
Unlike in the caucus where he was mainly interacting with Movement MPs and ensuring harmony on the floor of Parliament, as the parliamentary affairs minister, Ogong’s briefs expanded to wooing the opposition MPs to support the government policies and programmes.
He was also to ensure that fellow ministers are present in the House as and when required to defend the bills and or answer any queries raised by trouble-shooters like Aggrey Awori, the shrewd Samia Bugwe north legislature.
It was no surprise, therefore, that Ogong, as the vice chairperson of the National Task Force in charge of Parliament, was one of the key players during the campaigns to return President Yoweri Museveni for a second term in 2001.
Perhaps Ogong exhibited his unique mobilisation skills best in February when the marauding Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) invaded the Lango sub region and massacred over 200 innocent souls in Barlonyo.
He swung into action, moving across Lira and Apac, appealing to parents to sacrifice the children to join the Amuka militias in order to drive the terrorists from their land.
Ogong was so much on the ground during this exercise and the mobilisation was so massive and successful that even some opposition politicians who were initially opposed to the idea had no choice but to come out, put on the newly provided military fatigue and join Ogong in the field.
Within months, the LRA had been given a clear message that Lango sub region was a no go area for them, thanks to Ogong’s unrivalled mobilisation and down to earth approach.
A man who is always on the move, Ogong last week declared his intention to stand for the powerful position of the NRM party president, a position which would make one an automatic flag bearer and presidential candidate for the March 2006 elections.
Asked what motivated him to join politics, let alone desiring to be the Movement flag bearer, the plain speaking minister said, “It has always been my interest to help people change their situation for the better. So I joined politics so that I can have a position where I can influence decisions for a better society.”
For a person whose business and family motto is ‘serve to help’ Ogong’s membership of the Movement is at a point of no return.
“In the Movement, we have built cadres who can pursue the ideals of the Movement. President Museveni has, over the years, laid a firm foundation from which anybody can continue. We have the cadres, the will and zeal to build a country that is peaceful, democratic, united and prosperous,” he said.
At only 40 years of age, Ogong might be seen by most Ugandans as too young to stand the challenges of managing state affairs, more so in a country like Uganda where institutions are so lowly developed to the extent that individuals are stronger than the state.
Though he has been to Busia in the east and parts of western Uganda, Ogong may not sell beyond Lango sub region, as he is hardly known beyond those areas.
Furthermore, most UPC diehards in the north seem not to have forgiven him yet for ‘deserting’ them and crossing into the Movement at a time when it was nearly taboo for a Langi or an Acholi to even think of any other political party other than UPC.
Some people however, think that Ogong is just a schemer, who has no genuine intention of taking on the mantle of leading the NRM.
The witty minister’s swift response is simple, “I have never been a joker. I am always serious in whatever I do. I have a very high chance of winning especially when President Museveni is not standing. My performance records are clear.”
He said his standing would deepen democracy within the Movement. “In our party, leaders emerge on merit based on their commitment to the Movement vision, mission and values. Those committed to the ideals of the party like myself stand a good chance of being leaders,” he said.
Ogong further explained that his candidature was also a testimony that there was no victimisation in the Movement on account of expressing political ambition provided those ambitions are exercised within the Movement structure and guidelines.
“Since no one has shown interest in vying for the top position and there are rumours that President Yoweri Museveni may not stand, I am offering myself to lead the party so that we continue to pursue the NRM vision and mission,” Ogong said.
Ogong’s success has however, come at a price. Born to a strong UPC family of Neil Ogong, he is seen by senior party members in Lango as a traitor who abandoned his father’s party in preference of greener pastures in the NRM.
This is demonstrated by the fact that UPC iron lady, Cecilia Atim Ogwal has, until recently, been regarding Ogong as a political son who had been on a nomadic tour of the Movement and that sooner or later he would see the light and return to her party.
Ogong, however, denies that he has ever belonged to any political party before. As he sinks further into the Movement water, leaving in his wake a number of benefits to his people, the Ogwals of this world seem to be only hoping against hopes.
Ogong says in joining the Movement, he is in no mood of returning to UPC and that it is only in the Movement where he can serve his people better.
Whether he is a joker or will jump these many hurdles to the top of NRM, only this week’s Movement delegates’ conference will tell.
For now, Ogong’s prayers are that the only bull in the Movement kraal, President Museveni, does not offer himself for another term.
This article can be found on-line at: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/25/465860
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