Parliament lauds Moroto district woman MP
Feb 27, 2017
Logiel, the first MP to die in the 10th Parliament, succumbed to brain tumor in Rishospetalet Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, according to Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda.
Legislators have asked government to improve on health facilities countrywide to reduce on the burden majority face to travel abroad to seek better health care.
Budadiri West MP Nandala Mafabi (FDC, ) challenged MPs to fund the health budget rather than flying abroad when legislatures fall sick. "Why should we rush patients out of Uganda; what is in India that we cannot do here?" he asked.
Logiel, the first MP to die in the 10th Parliament, succumbed to brain tumor in Rishospetalet Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, according to Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda.
Annie Logiel born of Peter Epuyo and Margaret Munyes of Nakapelimen village Nadunget sub county Moroto district was a professional nurse, married to Erik Jors and a mother of two Dianah Lomogin (18 years) and Jodan Sagal (12 years old) was also vice Chairperson of the parliament Health and HIV Committees.
Covered in Uganda and NRM party flags, escorted by MPs of the Karamoja region, the coffin arrived, a somber mood covered the House.
" Fred Angella moroto municipality MP described her as colleague who had helped him solve Karamoja political issues.
Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, Vice President Edward Ssekandi, the cabinet and legislatures paid their last respects and signed the condolence book.Kadaga described the late as courageous and said when they last interacted, Logiel seemed to have prepared for any fate.
"She was very courageous and I think by the time we separated, she expected that things would go either way," said Kadaga.While moving a motion for a resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to the late, Rugunda said the country had lost "a strong talented and wise legislator."
Rugunda said "She had a deep passion in improving health services countrywide and Karamoja in particular."
Leader of opposition Winnie Kiiza,(Kasese woman MP) who seconded the motion, described the deceased as an eager learner who was polite but focused." Logiel paid tuition for over 100 children under scholarship program, she was ready to learn and was not bothered about the side of politics one belonged to," Kiiza said.
Karamoja affairs minister Eng. John Byabagambi applauded the deceased for resorting to work in the sub region after school, criticizing educated Karimojong for shunning their homeland.
"Many people from Karamoja region do not go back to Karamoja after attaining education, Logiel's unique character enabled her to go back home and dedicated her life to the service of Karamoja." Byabagambi said.
Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa attacked Parliament's critics on MPs' burial expenditure, saying they would have had a difficult time organizing the burial activities.
"We never questioned this budget (funeral expenses), we supported the Parliamentary budget," said Nankabirwa.
Nankabirwa also thanked Chief of Defense Forces Gen David Muhoozi for providing a helicopter that will fly the body to Moroto . Logiel will be buried on at Nakapelimen village, Nadunget Sub County in Moroto district.