Cecilia Ogwal Bio, Education, Age, Career, Death

Hon. Cecilia Ogwal (6 December 1946 – 18 January 2024) was a distinguished Ugandan politician, businesswoman, and management consultant. She served as the Member of Parliament for the Dokolo District Women’s Constituency, making significant contributions to Ugandan politics throughout her tenure from 1996 until her passing.

Early Life and Education

Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal was born on 6 December 1946 in Dokolo District, British Protectorate of Uganda. Her educational journey began in local schools in Uganda, and at the age of 21, she pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of East Africa in Nairobi (now the University of Nairobi), graduating in 1970. Ogwal furthered her education with a Certificate in Human Resources Management from the Uganda Management Institute. Additionally, she held certificates in Christian-Based Values from the Haggai Institute in Singapore and Public-Private Partnership from Australia.

Career

Ogwal’s professional journey included roles at the Uganda Embassy in Kenya as the Liaison Officer for Returning Ugandan Refugees (1979–1980) and as the Operations Manager at the Uganda Advisory Board of Trade (1980–1981). In 1982, she co-founded Housing Finance Bank and later served as the Chairperson of Uganda Development Bank from 1981 to 1986.

Her involvement in politics began when she became the Acting Secretary General of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) from 1985 to 1992. In 1994, Ogwal played a key role in the Constituent Assembly that drafted and promulgated the 1995 Ugandan Constitution. She remained a prominent figure in the UPC until 2004. Despite a setback in the 2006 parliamentary elections, where she lost her Lira Municipality seat, Ogwal rebounded in 2011, winning the Women’s Representative seat for the newly created Dokolo District, this time as a member of the Forum for Democratic Change party.

Parliamentary Duties

Ogwal, a married mother of seven natural children and several adopted ones, was not only a trailblazer but also a “Miss Uganda” contest winner in 1969. In Parliament, she served on the Committee of Physical Infrastructure, overseeing policy matters related to Lands, Housing, Urban Development, Works and Transport, and Physical Planning. Additionally, she contributed to the budget committee.

Death

Ogwal, 77, succumbed to cancer at a hospital in India where she had been rushed for treatment early this year.

Legacy

Cecilia Ogwal’s legacy extends beyond her political career, leaving an indelible mark on Ugandan politics and society. Her contributions to constitutional drafting, financial institutions, and her advocacy on parliamentary committees have left a lasting impact.

References

1. POU (2011). “Profile of Atim Ogwal Cecilia Barbara: Woman Representative for Dokolo District”. Parliament of Uganda (POU). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
2. Magoba, Brian (15 September 2012). “Ogwal: Beauty Queen Who Turned Into An Iron Lady”. Daily Monitor (Kampala). Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2015. “Parliament of Uganda”. www.parliament.go.ug. Retrieved 18 April 2021. “Hon. Atim Ogwal Cecilia Barbara Cecilia”. MPScan Uganda. Retrieved 18 April 2021.

External Links

[Website of the Parliament of Uganda](insert link)

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