The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the Parliament of Uganda find themselves at loggerheads over the funeral arrangements for the late Cecilia Barbra Atim Ogwal, the long-serving Woman Representative for Dokolo District. The clash comes as the FDC shared a tentative burial program on social media, prompting a swift and stern response from Parliament.
Cecilia Ogwal, affectionately known as the “Iron Lady,” passed away at the age of 77 after seeking specialized treatment in India for cancer. With a legislative career spanning from 1996, her demise marked the end of an era.
The FDC, a party to which Ogwal belonged, took to social media to unveil their proposed burial program, triggering a swift reaction from Parliament. The legislative body, through its official handle, declared that the FDC’s plan should be disregarded, emphasizing that the responsibility for Ogwal’s final sendoff rests squarely with the House.
“The burial of the late Hon Cecilia Ogwal is the responsibility of parliament, not the FDC party. Please disregard the purported burial program released by the FDC on its social media platforms. The Speaker of Parliament together with the family will release the funeral arrangements. We urge the FDC to observe the bare minimum of respect and decency and not vulgarize the final journey of the hugely respected Hon Cecilia,” communicated Chris Obore, Parliament’s Director of Communications.
Responding to the parliamentary directive, John Kikonyogo, FDC’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, acknowledged ongoing discussions among senior leaders to harmonize the burial program. Kikonyogo emphasized that Ogwal had three families – her biological family, the FDC family, and the Parliament family – and insisted on the need for all three to convene and find common ground.
“We are not too hard on it that we must have it our way, but we must have it at the national level at the same time respecting everybody. We are ready for any negotiations, but what is clear is that we need Madam’s body to come to our headquarters, even if it’s for one hour, so that we can give her the respect any senior leader at FDC deserves. She is not just a normal person,” asserted Kikonyogo.
