Late Cecilia Ogwal’s Daughter Speaks on Proposal to Replace Her Mother in Parliament

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Dr. Alwoc Ogwal
Dr. Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal, the late Cecilia Ogwal's daughter speaking to mourners during her mother's burial in Kole District. Courtesy photo

Dr. Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal, the late Cecilia Ogwal’s daughter, has broken her silence on the proposal to be fronted to replace her fallen mother in the 11th Parliament.

On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, another team from the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, led by Kioga County legislator Junior Okot Bitek, Levi Okodi Macpio, and other leaders, stormed late Ogwal’s home in a bid to persuade Dr. Alwoc to contest the coming bye-election.

Their impromptu visit stemmed from the Sunday, January 28, 2024, visit by a team of local leaders and former campaigning managers of the late MP Ogwal, who stormed Alito sub-county in Kole district a day after her burial and demanded that Dr. Alwoc be fronted in the forthcoming by-election.

The team, drawn from about 60 parishes in Dokolo district, later held an extensive meeting with the family members, which included some close legislators from Lango, Lameck Ogwal (the deceased’s husband), and children who included Moses Otyek, among others.

Dr. Alwoc has since confirmed that she is ready to contest the coming by-election to further the legacies of her mother in the august house.

“Mom was in the middle of finishing her term, yet she had a huge programme of work for Dokolo. Our view is the continuation of these programmes, and my vision is to fulfil what mom wanted this term. I’m sure both she and the people of Dokolo will be very appreciative,” Dr. Alwoc said.

When asked about the political party, Dr. Alwoc remained reserved, saying that as of now she hasn’t been nominated by any political party.

In an exclusive interview, MP Okot Bitek, who is also the FDC’s legal secretary, said that whereas they have offered a chance to Dr. Alwoc to continue with the late mother’s legacy, she will also be subjected to internal party processes if some other members express interest too.

Under the Parliamentary Election Act, a by-election to replace a Member of Parliament should be conducted within 60 days.