Having served in elective politics for close to three decades, Cecilia Barbra Atim Ogwal, the Dokolo Woman MP-elect has announced that she will not contest again in 2026.

Ogwal was re-elected to Parliament in last week’s general elections polls where she garnered 39,197 votes against her close rival Janet Adong who got 15,516.

In an interview at her home on Monday afternoon, Ogwal who is 74 years old said she made up her mind when making the Constitution in 1995 not to contest for office after reaching 75 years, adding that if the Constitution is to be changed, it should not only limit the age of the President but Members of Parliament as well.

"I have spoken very loudly and clearly. After going past the age of 75, I will not go for an elective post. I will remain with the experience I've acquired and if by the grace of God I still have the energy, I will definitely still be in the position to help the country but in a different capacity," Ogwal said.

"If I defy that and contest in 2026, it will mean that I was not sincere to my own conscience and to the people that elected me to the Constituent Assembly," she added. 

The former Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) stalwart was forced out of the party which led to her crossing to rival Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). She also lost the Lira Municipality MP seat to Jimmy Akena in the 2006 parliamentary election.

On the credibility of the just-concluded election, Ogwal said it cannot be described as free and fair.

She claimed that some presidential candidates were blocked from gathering crowds yet the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) was seen gathering crowds that were never dispersed.

"The ground was tilted in favour of other candidates but at the end of the day, let us look at the bigger picture that the COVID-19 pandemic is with us," she said.

Ogwal also talked about the disunity in the Lango Parliamentary Group saying the MPs should sit down and look at the Lango agenda which should be above individual party interests.

"We may disagree ideologically and come from different political backgrounds but at the same time, we should have a Lango agenda that goes far and above party interests and that should be the starting point," she said. 

Ogwal however said she was happy that the election was concluded peacefully despite the challenges in observing standard operating procedures.

She commended members of security organs for their efforts in controlling the voters.

Ogwal also said she was indebted to voters in Dokolo for the overwhelming support she got.

On some issues of concern, Ogwal claimed some vehicles were seen moving at night with concealed number plates as well as a candidate’s bodyguard who was allowed at a tally centre with a gun that was used to shoot and injure a person.

She said she wants answers to the issues as well as what she claimed were several attempts that have been made on her life.

Police in response said the shooting incident involved the bodyguard of candidate Paul Amoru and that he is being held at Lira Central Police Station and the gun has been recovered.

Amoru was also summoned to record a statement and released on Police bond.