Cecilia's long presidential hug

Nov 26, 2019

Jovial and energetic, the 73-year legislator who has been in parliament since 1996 (23 years) swung her arms and ‘sprinted’ to the podium amidst cheers when she was asked to step forward and invite the Speaker to address the guests.

President Yoweri Museveni hugged Dokolo district MP Cecilia Ogwal. Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba

It was supposed to be a fundraise drive to raise sh1bn for the Quiin Abenakyo Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on promoting the well-being of girls through addressing issues on child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

For undisclosed reasons, a few guests were invited to the function where the Principal fundraiser was President Yoweri Museveni. Others were Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga who is the patron of the foundation and Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda.

 While the President prepared his hand for the handshake, she was not in the mood for a mere handshake

The surprise appearance was Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal, the Dokolo County Member of Parliament.

 She opened her arms and the President had no problem with it

Jovial and energetic, the 73-year legislator who has been in parliament since 1996 (23 years) swung her arms and ‘sprinted' to the podium amidst cheers when she was asked to step forward and invite the Speaker to address the guests and finally request the guest of honour to launch the drive and give his address.

 He went on to embrace her

But to those who know Ogwal, she is not new in this field of beauties. She is actually the first Miss Uganda, who was crowned in 1969 at the age of 23 at the Sheraton Hotel, formerly Apollo Milton Hotel. 

 And the hug went on...and on....and on

 

 

 

During her address, Ogwal expressed her ‘hearty' support to Abenakyo's initiatives, saying she met her at Entebbe International Airport in 2018 when she was flying out to take part in the Miss World beauty pageant in China, placed her arms on her and poured out her blessings and prayers. Abenakyo was crowned Miss World Africa 2018.

 

On resuming her seat, the President rose from his seat and stretched out his arm and the two shook hands. But on realizing that the Speaker was reading out names of big contributors, who were being asked to receive a presidential handshake, Ogwal too, asked for a pledge card. She filed it quickly and called Maurice Mugisha, who was the Master of Ceremonies and quickly asked him to forward it.

 

The speaker read it and it was sh2m and asked her to come forward for a handshake but this time, she opened up her arms and the President did not let her down. He too opened his arms and the two gave each other a long cuddle.

 

She was so happy that after, the President asked her to look into the camera but again she invited Abenakyo to joint her to make the photo more colorful.

 

It was for this reason that during the group photo shootout, the president halted the session and asked for chairs where he sat down with the Speaker, Nabagereka and Abenakyo. But he realized that Ogwal remained standing and directed for an extra chair and pulled her arm as he asked her to sit down.  

 

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