Pray for Parliament, asks Speaker Anita Among

Mourners attending the funeral service of the late Cecilia Ogwal were amused when the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, asked them to pray for Members of Parliament.

This morning, January 23, 2024, the political class, business tycoons, musicians and members of the public flocked All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero to pay tribute to the late Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal, a mother of the nation who has left a legacy.

Before she gave her speech, she excited mourners when she said since everybody had spoken about Cecilia, her team was going to just sing a hymn known as ‘Till We Meet’ The Church allowed them only to turn out that most MPs who were standing at the pulpit, did not know the lyrics of the Hymn.

“Choir, can you help us,” the Speaker requested and this sent mourners into laughter.

She thanked President Yoweri Museveni for giving the late Cecilia a special consideration and granting her a decent send-off.

“It was my first time to see the President and the First Lady stay overnight with the body in Parliament,” she said.

The Speaker also appealed to the church to pray for the Parliament of Uganda because Cecilia is the 4th person they have buried in two and half years.

“Remember the Parliament of Uganda in your prayers. This is the fourth person we are sending off eternally in two and a half years. Where we wronged, we ask for your forgiveness,” Among said.

During her speech, she posed and requested Miria Matembe, a lawyer and activist to say something about the late who was the champion of the Women's Movement in Uganda.

Miria Matembe (center) eulogizing the late Hon.Cecilia Ogwal as Speaker of Parliament Rt.Hon.Annet Anita Among (right) and the Leader of Opposition Hon.Joel Ssenyonyo (2nd left) with other members of parliament look on. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Matembe told mourners that it was God’s grace to be given an opportunity to speak about her friend Ogwal. Mourners applauded when she said Cecilia is the only person who has lived according to the National Anthem. ‘For God and My Country.'

“We stand here in great pain; we have lost so far two great women Joyce Mpanga and now Cecilia. These were the mothers of the women movement, for us we are children. The women movement and gender equality is taking shape in Uganda because of Cecilia. She succeeded at three levels, Public, Godly and Family level,” Matembe said.

Matembe said although she was tough, Cecilia was mature in politics that is why she will remain a good mentor to many.

“Maama has gone, but the struggle of gender equality and women empowerment will continue. I am certain I will find you in heaven. I will leave you with a verse in the Bible John 15:16 which says "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask for in my name, the Father will give you.”

Former Vice President Specioza Wandera Kazibwe eulogizing the late Hon. Cecilia Ogwal as some members of parliament look on during the funeral service at All Saints Church Nakasero. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Former Vice President Specioza Kazibwe saw off her longtime friend in the struggle of women empowerment with praises.

“I am weak but I cannot fail to bid farewell to my friend. The struggle for women emancipation continues,” Kazibwe said.