Seasoned legislator Cecilia Ogwal is dead. We recently published a story about her life as a mother and politician.

Popularly known as the Iron Lady, Cecilia Ogwal, the Dokolo district Woman MP, is a known face, in the chambers and corridors of Parliament. She joined the August House in 1996, making her one of the longest-serving female legislators.

Born in 1946, Cecilia Ogwal, who has been a Parliament commissioner, joined Parliament in 1996. She had earlier in 1994 been elected a delegate in the Constituent Assembly, representing the people of Lira Municipality.

Although the elections to the CA and Parliament at the time were on individual merit under the then Movement System, Ogwal was a renowned member of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party, having served as its secretary-general for a number of years

Cecilia Ogwal, the Dokolo district Woman MP hugging President Museveni /File photo

Ogwal served as the Lira municipality MP for two terms up to 2006 when Jimmy Akena, the son and de-facto political heir of former President Dr Apollo Milton Obote, dislodged her from the constituency.

“I got active in politics, right away from university. I became an active member of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) Party youth wing. I was involved in UPC activities, and that is how I ended up in CA as a delegate,” Ogwal told New Vision in an interview.

However, after the emergence of Jimmy Akena, Ogwal's hopes to continue representing the people of Lira Municipality started to dim, which forced her to cross over to Dokolo district.

“People were clamouring for Akena, but did not know who he was, apart from being Obote's son. I told them you want Akena, but be aware of ABC..., and there were many challenges that needed attention. By the time I left, I had constructed several schools, which were originally grass-thatched, I did so many things for them,” she boasted.

Ogwal's problems with UPC, where she served in the capacity of acting secretary general between 1985 and 1992, escalated when she lost her parliamentary bid to Akena.

Ogwal first opted to become an independent candidate but later joined FDC in 2010. She was subsequently elected as the Dokolo Woman MP.

How she joined politics

Ogwal was born in a non¬political family.

“None of my family members was a politician. My father was a health officer who did not have any interest in politics,” Ogwal said.

She says her inspiration to join politics, was due to her desire for women's emancipation and fighting for the girl child.

According to Ogwal, she wanted to make a point that irrespective of one's sex, even a woman can make it to high positions and offices, which are often occupied by men.

She, however, explains that a family friend, an Indian, who she identified as Patel, discovered some unique leadership qualities in her, and her special love for current affairs, and helped her build her political career.

Ogwal also loved attending political rallies in her neighbourhood, to listen to politicians, as she tried to pursue her ambition.

“One day, my father found me at a rally when it was time for school, so he got a stick and started chasing me around town, and I ran towards Patel's House,” she said.

Women rights

Ogwal said she was an excellent student, who loved mathematics, a subject considered for the boys. During her high school days, Ogwal won various mathematics and essay contests, which earned her a placement at Gayaza High School, for her A' level education.

“As a girl, I always wanted to make my father proud. That is why I ended up doing maths and commerce at the university,” she stated.

Challenges

Ogwal says discrimination of women is one of the biggest challenges that Uganda is still grappling with, especially, when it comes to leadership positions.

“Women, have been judged wrongly, just because they are women. They have been run down by society, this has to change. Just look at President Yoweri Museveni's cabinet, why can't a woman be appointed a prime minister?” she asked.

Achievements

Ogwal is proud of demystifying what she called the stereotype that women cannot take up leadership positions, especially, in the political field.

“I have been able to prove that a woman can be a political leader,” Ogwal said.

Money for votes

She is unhappy about the commercialisation of politics in the country, which she says needs to be dealt with.

According to Ogwal, during the early days, voters could sell some of their livestock, such as goats and property, to raise funds for their prospective leaders. But now, voters are demanding money in exchange for votes.

“I never give people in my constituency money. I only facilitate activities, if it is a youth who wants money, I give to a youth group, women, through their groups, you can never find any woman saying I bought her a busuti as an individual,” she said.

Ogwal argues that she has been able to retain her constituency seat because she has maintained contacts with her people and due to good service delivery.

“I have been in constant contact with my voters. I always tell them the truth,” Ogwal says, adding that instead of giving people money, she tries to help them get into productive activities.

Politics and family Ogwal says as a mother and wife, she faces challenges balancing family and politics. She sometimes regrets spending more time in politics than with her family.

“I have to balance my time; sometimes I say I should have given my family more time than politics. But at the end of the day, I find time for my family, I am never too busy for my family” Ogwal says.

While some politicians have developed a tendency, to groom their children, to take over from them, when they retire, it is a different story for Ogwal.

She believes that parents should not compel their children to become what their parents are. Children should instead make their own choices.

“I will not force any of my children to join politics. If any of them is driven by my passion, I will support them,” she says.

Term limits for MPs?

Ogwal does not believe in the notion that an MP's term of office should be subjected to term limits. She argues that representation of the people is about service delivery.

“Representing people is all about rendering service. I was very prosperous in business, running Lira Millers before I joined politics, but the business collapsed because of politics, it is a calling, nothing more,” she observed.

Roles in Parliament

At Parliament, Ogwal has held various responsibilities. For instance, in the Eighth Parliament, Ogwal was one of Uganda's representatives at the Pan African Parliament based in South Africa. She is now the Opposition chief whip.

She has also served on several key committees of Parliament, including budget, physical infrastructure, and the appointments committee.

Ogwal is currently one of the four Parliament commissioners who are responsible for the administration of Parliament.

Outside Parliament

When not at Parliament, Ogwal is a business, family and management consultant.

Before joining Parliament, Ogwal worked as an acting secretary general of UPC between 1985 and 1993, and she was also the chairperson in charge of presidential policy for UPC up to 1996.

Ogwal also previously served as the chairperson of Uganda Development Bank and a director in a number of business entities.

Education

Ogwal studied at the East African University in Kenya's capital Nairobi, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree of commerce. She also completed other leadership courses in Singapore and Australia.

“It was not common for women to do commerce back then, because it was considered a course for men,” she says.