Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health and Lira City Woman MP, paid tribute to the late Cecilia Ogwal, describing her as a mentor and a strong advocate for health-related issues. Ogwal, a prominent Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) stalwart, passed away in India at the age of 77 after battling cancer. Aceng expressed her deep sense of loss, recalling the close relationship she shared with Ogwal.
“Honorable Cecilia Ogwal was a mother to me. I called her mummy, she called me daughter. And I called her husband, papa because she mentored me in all ways. And we had our moments when we would sit and talk as mother and daughter,” said Aceng.
Aceng highlighted Ogwal’s significant contributions to health advocacy during her tenure in Parliament. Ogwal consistently championed health issues and played a pivotal role in advocating for healthcare infrastructure, including the establishment of the women’s hospital. Aceng also mentioned Ogwal’s recent advocacy for the installation of a PET scan at the Uganda Cancer Institute.
“She has been a very strong advocate for ensuring that these facilities are available for the population of Uganda. And one of her last very strong advocacies was on the issue of having a PET scan in the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) even before she was flown to India,” Aceng stated.
Aceng expressed hope that Ogwal’s passionate push for a PET scan would come to fruition in the near future. She emphasized that Ogwal’s legacy would endure, particularly in the areas of health advocacy, women’s empowerment, and poverty alleviation.
In addition to Dr. Aceng’s tribute, former Ethics and Integrity Minister Dr. Miria Matembe also spoke fondly of Cecilia Ogwal. Matembe praised Ogwal for embodying the principles of Uganda’s national anthem, “For God and My Country,” and emphasized the need for leaders to adopt a Christ-like lifestyle of leadership. She lamented the loss of seasoned leaders like Ogwal and expressed concern about the current state of leadership in the country.
