By Caroline Kirabo
A section of legislators and Parliament staff bursted into tears as the team from A-plus funeral Management wheeled the casket containing her body into the south wing Central lobby at 9am.
A-plus was accompanied by afew family members of Ogwal.
Ogwal, 77, died of cancer on January 18, 2024, in an Indian hospital and since her death, tributes have been pouring for the opposition strong woman nicknamed the iron lady, with many people saying she earned respect with her skillful approach to politics and for being a non nonsense leader.
In the lobby, the casket was opened to enable the lawmakers and staff to view the body and as part of the final tribute proceeds, flower petals were sprinkled into the room.
Some of the legislators looked up to her as a mother figure and a uniting factor in the house who always aimed at repairing gone-sour working relationships among colleagues.
After the tribute, the body lied the state overnight at the House and today on Tuesday morning was taken to All Saints Cathedral, in Kampala for a funeral service at 9am.
Cecilia Ogwal survived by her husband Lameck Ogwal and their children.
President Yoweri Museveni has directed that Ogwal should be accorded an official burial, according to the Minister for the presidency Milly Babalanda.
An official burial means that the Government will cover all expenses and accord a gun salute to the deceased veteran opposition politician who had been in Parliament since 1985, first as a constituent Assembly delegate (1985-1993) and later as Mp (1996-2024).
Cecilia Ogwal will be buried on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at her home in Dog Gudu Cell, Alito Town Council, Kole District.