Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal (6 December 1946 – 18 January 2024) was a Ugandan politician, businesswoman, and management consultant. She was the Member of Parliament for the Dokolo District Women’s Constituency.
She was a member of Uganda’s legislature continuously from 1996 until her death. She died in India on 18 January 2024 after a short illness.
Ogwal was born on June 12, 1946, in Dokolo District, Northern Uganda, and rose to prominence as a career woman, MP, and businesswoman.
Her academic journey took her to the University of Nairobi, where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1970.
She also held a Certificate in Human Resources Management from the Uganda Management Institute as well as qualifications from Singapore and Australia.
Cecilia’s professional life unfolded with diverse experiences. She served as the Liaison Officer for Returning Ugandan Refugees at the Uganda Embassy in Kenya (1979-1980), after which she worked as Operations Manager at the Uganda Advisory Board of Trade (1980-1981).
She also played a pivotal role as one of the founders of the Housing Finance Bank in 1982 and later chaired the Uganda Development Bank from 1981 to 1986.
Entering the political arena, Cecilia became the Acting Secretary General of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) from 1985 to 1992. Her involvement in the Constituent Assembly in 1994 led to the drafting and promulgation of the 1995 Ugandan Constitution.
A loyal member of the UPC, she transitioned to the Forum for Democratic Change party, winning the Women’s Representative seat for Dokolo District in 2011.
Her parliamentary contributions were substantial, evident through her role in the Committee of Physical Infrastructure, where she oversaw policy matters related to Lands, Housing, Urban Development, Works and Transport, and Physical Planning.
Additionally, she left her imprint on the budget committee, showcasing her dedication to shaping Uganda’s developmental trajectory.
In her personal life, Cecilia Ogwal was a loving wife to Lameck Ogwal and a mother of seven natural children alongside numerous adopted ones. Interestingly, the lady who came to be known as “The Iron Lady”, won the first “Miss Uganda” contest at the age of 23 in 1969, adding a touch of glamour to her multifaceted life.
Cecilia Ogwal will be remembered as a dedicated politician, businesswoman, and champion of women’s rights.
She became involved in Ugandan politics, serving as the Acting Secretary General of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) from 1985 to 1992. In 1994, she was part of the Constituent Assembly which drafted and promulgated the 1995 Ugandan Constitution.
She remained a high-ranking official in the UPC political party until 2004. During the 2006 parliamentary elections, she lost her Lira Municipality seat to Jimmy Akena, the son of UPC founder Milton Obote.
In 2011, Ogwal contested and won the Women’s Representative seat for the newly created Dokolo District. This time she switched political parties and ran as a full member of the Forum for Democratic Change party
