Cecilia Ogwal - Uganda Multimedia News & Information

MP Cecilia Ogwal ordered to take back the age limit cash

Isaac Senabulya — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 09:35:39 +0000

Dokolo district woman MP Cecilia Ogwal

Dokolo district voters ordered their district woman MP Cecilia Ogwal, to return the age limit bill consultation money to its source.

The voters in the 11 sub counties told the MP during her consultations over the bill to take back SHS 29 million given to all MPs last month to facilitate their consultations over the bill that is seeking to amend article 102 (b) in the Constitution.

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Speaking to journalist at journalists at parliament on Friday 17^thNovember, the MP said electorates in the district do not support this bill and the land amendment bill. “My conscience does not allow me to keep the money when doctors are striking over poor pay.” She stated

Ogwal had advised Mps against returning the money saying it was wise to use it to invest in projects that will develop their constituencies adding that she was also going to do the same

The number of MPS who have returned the presidential age limit bill consultation money had reached 15

ALSO READ:Kids take over on World Children’s Day

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Cecilia Ogwal flags off national debating team for Indonesia championships

Isaac Senabulya — Fri, 04 Aug 2017 12:34:29 +0000

Cecilia Ogwal flagging off the team at Parliament this week

Dokolo Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal this week flagged off the national team ahead of the world schools debate championships in Indonesia

Ninety countries including Uganda will participate in the competition that is slated for July 31st to 11th of August in Bali.

Ogwal met the team on behalf of the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga that is composed of secondary students from Iganga Girls, Gombe SS, Muyenga High and Galaxy International School.

Led by Mahrukh Sajid from Muyenga High, the youngest team member is Morgan Moconha while others are Abbas Luyomba and Denis Musinguzi Kabila.

Sajid says she is proud to be the captain of the team and also glad that she has been chosen to debate despite societal restrictions on females.

Owgal commended the National Debate Council that selected the team members for considering Uganda’s diverse culture and also including Luyomba who has a disability.

Ogwal also encouraged the team to dream big by targeting to win all the 8 debates they are set to participate against teams such as Greece, South Africa, US.

The head coach Hillary Kururagyire asked Ogwal and also the national female youth MP Anne Adeke to promote support towards intellectual sports in the country like debate.

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Ogwal wants government to avail funds for debates in schools

Isaac Senabulya — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 17:01:39 +0000

The Commissioner of Parliament who is also Dokolo district Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal has asked Youth Member of Parliament to push government to apportion money for facilitating schools who represent the country in world competitions.

Cecilia Ogwal, the Dokolo Woman MP

Ogwal said this while flagging off students from Kira college Butiki who are going to present the country in world debating competition in Romania.

She was also briefed by Mwine Mpaka the Youth MP Western how students who present in country are not facilitated by government despite the fact that they are supposed to fulfill this.

Ogwal informed them that as youths, they are supposed to ensure that during the budgeting process money is appropriated for such activities and follow it up at the ministry of education.

She was however, impressed with the different styles that are used in judging these competitions and recommended for parliament to learn some of these styles which she says will help them in dealing with some of controversial issues on which they spend a lot of debating when sometimes not necessary.

The Chairman of the National Debating Council, Guster Kakaire urged government to also promote mental sports citing that all students cannot engage in physical sports.

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Kadaga wants more leave days for breastfeeding mothers

Isaac Senabulya — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 16:40:37 +0000

The Speaker of Parliament, Hon.Rebecca Kadaga, has urged the Parliamentary Health Committee to seek for public opinions that can facilitate the amendment of the Uganda labour law for mothers to get more leave days and exclusively breast feed and look after their babies.

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga.

Kadaga who was speaking with ministry of health officials at parliament said the current labour law does not give mothers enough time to exclusively breastfeed their new borns.The ministry of health officials had paid a courtesy call to the Parliamentary Baby Care Center as one of the activities in commemoration of the Word Exclusive Breastfeeding Day held annually in the first week of August.

The current law allows mothers a 3 months paid leave with fathers also taking 4 days off working to welcome a new born or deal with an aftermath tragedy in case the baby dies.

“World health organization recommends that a baby is supposed to be breastfed exclusively for six months. During this period, a mother needs a lot of rest and a healthy diet so that she can give the best milk to her child to grow healthy. As the parliamentary health committee, you need to double efforts in advocating for an increase of these days ,” Kadaga said.

Dr.Jacent Asiimwe, the head of the nutrition program in the ministry of health, who proposed for the amendments, says the 60 working days that are given to mothers are inadequate given that the recommended time is six months. He said that it is at such a time that a baby exclusively breast feed appropriately.

Assimwe appealed to parliament to make amendments that will see the leaves days increased to 90 working days for mothers while fathers also be increased from the current 4 to 7 days after birth of a new born in a family.

Upon this recommendation, Kadaga tasked Dr. Micheal Bukenya, the chairperson of the health committee and MP for Bukuya County in Mubende district working with team to embark on collecting opinions that will determine if this amendment can be made possible.
What does the law say about work and parents?

The current labour laws in Uganda make certain mention of family related issues. However, existing provisions in the law do not adequately address the issue of working parents. For instance, the law states that working pregnant women are entitled to 60 working days of paid leave, but it does not explain how pregnant mothers should be treated while they have not yet taken their leave or after returning when they have given birth, except that they should be allowed to continue with their work.

The current labour laws in Uganda have no specific provisions for child care. However, some employers for example Parliament do provide child care services, including breastfeeding rooms. Some employers also support children through provision of transport to school or payment of schools.

Some collective bargaining agreements like those in the flower sector also provide other additional support like meals for the child and the working mother.

Cecilia Ogwal, the Dokolo Woman Member of Parliament, however, says whereas the baby care center at parliament is a good step in ensuring that MP mothers can breastfeed their children in a good environment, the center should as well be open for male MPs who might have wives similarly with busy work schedules with no time to look after their babies.

She says this will bring about a shared responsibility among the husband and wife in the upbringing and bonding with the child.

What does the law say about paternity leave?

The law states that in case of child birth or miscarriage of a spouse, a male worker is entitled to four working days of paid paternity leave immediately after the child birth or miscarriage. The male employee however has the obligation to request the leave from his employer. He is free to return to work without any conditions after the expiry of the leave period.

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Speaker Kadaga vows to promote Rights of mothers and children.

Isaac Senabulya — Tue, 17 May 2016 08:11:44 +0000

The newly elect and sown in Kamuli woman MP Rebecca Kadaga has vowed to promote and up hold the rights of mothers and children in the 10th parliament.

Hon. Rebecca Kadaga who has been the Speaker of the 9th parliament also contesting for Speakership in the 10th parliament says in her 5 year term, advocacy for maternal health, children’s rights and independence of parliament will be causal.

Furthermore Kadaga has appealed to public should stop thinking that its a parliamentary role to implement law beyond legislating. Rebecca Kadaga and Dokoro Woman Mp Cecilia Ogwal are the only serving MPs in the coming 10th parliament who are still serving in parliament since the establishment of Constitutional Assemble which was the first body to legislate the law of Uganda.

Meanwhile on Thursday this week the 10th parliament will campaign and elect new speaker and deputy and the proceeding will be presided over by Chief justice Bart Magunda Katureebe

Newly elected Opposition MPs have advised the 10th parliament to quickly handle the constitutional amendments.

Day One of Members of the 10th Parliament swear in

Speaking to outgoing opposition chief whip Cecilia Ogwal and Kitgum woman Mp Beatrice Anywa say the failure to have free and fair elections was a weakness of 9th parliament to harshly and lately handle electoral reforms.

They have also vowed to advocate for both human rights and children parental care in their five year term in office.

Hon. Cecilia Ogwal has also called upon government to solve the 30 year incurable poverty in northern Uganda.
The newly elect Kitgum woman Mp Beatrice Anywar has vowed not to support any amendment on presidential age limit in 10th parliament.
It’s on record that MPs in the 7th parliament moved a constitutional amendment under the presidential act eliminating presidential term limits.
Hon. Betty Anywar after swearing in says errors have been done in 9th parliament oppressing the will of Ugandans and she is not willing to legislate laws favoring any one person.

Hon. Betty Anywar vows not to support any constitutional amendment to presidential term limits

Meanwhile she has also called upon NRM to in the coming five years to equally distribute some top government to people from Northern Uganda.

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Parliament passes Uganda Heart Institute Bill

Isaac Senabulya — Wed, 11 May 2016 08:59:33 +0000

Parliament has passed the Uganda Heart Institute Bill, 2015 which will make the Institute a self-accounting body with a budget independent of the Health Ministry.
The object of the Bill is to establish the Institute as an autonomous government agency mandated to undertake and coordinate the management of cardiovascular diseases.
Presenting a report on the Bill, the Chairperson of the Health Committee, Hon. Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo said that the Auditor General had noted that there was no Act in place to cater for the institute making its functioning difficult.
The Chairperson added that the Institute shall have a board of directors which shall be the governing body responsible for the performance of the functions of the Institute.
Dr. Bitekyerezo added that the Heart Institute should establish the appropriate departments responsible for the provision of palliative care and rehabilitation services.

Doctors at the Institution perform an Operation

Members of Parliament however, raised the issue of working conditions of the health workers at the Uganda Heart Institute.
Jinja East mp Paul Mwiru said that government needs to address the welfare of the personnel at the Institute.
The Mp for persons with disability Helen Asamo said that making the Institute autonomous will ease the procurement processes at the Institute.

The Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal called on government to decentralize the services of the Uganda Heart Institute.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye said that the Uganda Heart Institute is one of the most advanced care centres in Africa.

Cases of overwhelming numbers at the Health Institute

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Ugandan Traders petition government over property lost in South Sudan war

Isaac Senabulya — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 10:32:36 +0000

Ugandan traders from South Sudan have petitioned the Parliamentary Committee on the Budget asking the government to compensate them for the properties they lost during the South Sudan War.

The group led by the chairperson Uganda Traders Association of South Sudan Patrick Ntege Walusimbi complained to the committee that government through cabinet had agreed to compensate them two years ago but to date they have not received any money .

The traders say that other countries like Kenya and Ethiopia compensated their traders who lost property in the war but Uganda’s government was yet to compensate Ugandan traders.

They say the government should bail them out or they will default on the loans they acquired to do business in South Sudan.

The Uganda government has been earning taxes worth over 500 million dollars per year from traders who do business in South Sudan.

Yet, the group of 146 companies and individuals want 20 million dollars as compensation for their lost properties.

The Members of Parliament have however demanded that the group furnishes evidence for their claims so that parliament have proof before they push for the claims to be satisfied.

The opposition chief whip who is also the Woman Member of Parliament Dokolo district Babra Cecilia Ogwal Atim said that she will support traders to be paid if the matter comes to parliament and called on government to improve its relationship with South Sudan so that Ugandans are not harassed , killed and no properties lost

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Uganda Parliament honours Janan Luwuum

Zakaria Tiberindwa — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 13:56:54 +0000

Legislators across the political divide on Tuesday, 31^st March 2015 paid tribute to the late Archbishop Janan Luwum who was murdered on 16^th February 1977 during President Idi Amin’s regime.

This followed a Motion moved by the Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda at a Sitting of Parliament chaired by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah.

The Motion requested Parliament to pay tribute to the late Archbishop for his distinguished service and contribution towards the liberation of Uganda and that the ideals of democracy, good governance and the rule of law that the late Janan Luwum advocated for be upheld.

The Motion also stated that Parliament takes cognisance of the public holiday of 16^th February as pronounced by President Museveni.

The Late Janan Luwum who was born in 1924 was the Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire from 1974 to 1977, when he was murdered.

In the Motion, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda said that the late Luwum was a great man of the 20^th Century who stood for human rights, and was a role model for the world. The Premier added that the late Archbishop resisted the intimidation of the brutal regime of Idi Amin.

“He condemned the atrocities of Idi Amin and his death united Ugandans and galvanised the liberation of Uganda from the dictatorship”, he said.

Rugunda also stated that the late Luwum was a major uniting factor and a leading force within the church, which was fractured in agony at the time.

“He confronted tribalism and religious rivalry. His leadership encouraged people not to disregard issues but confront them. He was a gift to Uganda, Africa and to humanity”, Rugunda noted.

He concluded by saying that Uganda lost a gallant son, the family lost a loving father, the world lost an icon and the church lost a leader.

“He was a giant, a role model who inspired us and is a challenge to all of us regardless of our faith and affiliations”, he concluded.

The Leader of the Opposition, Wafula Oguttu who seconded the Motion said the late Archbishop was the greatest Ugandan who ever lived and worked for a just, peaceful and democratic Uganda.

“He saw the church as vehicle for peace, reconciliation and social transformation”, Wafula Oguttu said.

He added that the late Luwum put his country and people first

“Not many of us have these traits. Many Ugandans serve themselves first, the President next and the country last”, He added. Wafula Oguttu urged Ugandans to draw inspiration from the man of God who left a legacy of clean leadership.

Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum District Woman Member of Parliament) said the late Archbishop Janan Luwum wasn’t fearful and was able to speak out. She advocated for a faith-based university to be built at Mucwini in Kitgum district in his honour.

Latif Ssebaggala called on the Ministry of Education to have books about the late Luwum made available to primary and secondary schools.

“His story should be included in the school syllabus so that our children get to know about this great saint of Uganda”, the Parliament Imam sounded out.

Bugweri County Member of Parliament, Abdu Katuntu said that the late Luwum has continued to unite Ugandans even in his death as seen by the meeting of different leaders from all the political parties.

“I was touched when I saw Olara Otunnu shaking hands with President Museveni and Cecilia Ogwal smiling gracefully. We need a society of equality and unity which the late Archbishop died for”, he echoed.

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Oldest serving politician in Uganda Philemon Mateke sworn in at Parliament

Isaac Senabulya — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 14:32:34 +0000

The Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah today, presided over the administration of the oath of allegiance taken by the oldest serving politician in Uganda at the moment and the new Minister of State for Regional Cooperation Philemon Mateke.

Mateke took the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Member of Parliament to the post of Minister of State for Regional Cooperation during the plenary session.

Oulanyah welcomed him back to the house saying that the Parliament was willing to work with him.

The Minister of Local Government, Adolf Mwesige welcomed Mateke to Parliament and to the Cabinet saying that the government and the National Resistance Movement were ready to serve with him.

The opposition chief whip Cecelia Ogwal said that the coming of Mateke in cabinet will improve the performance of ministers in parliament more than before.

Mateke becomes an Ex-Officio Member of Parliament having been appointed a Minister without representing any constituency.

He also previously served as a State Minister for Education from 1981 to 1985 and as a State Minister for Labour from 1998 to 2002.

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Parliament names MPs to the Pan African Parliament

Gerald Businge — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:57:38 +0000

The Parliament of Uganda has approved the nomination of two members to represent Uganda in the Pan African Parliament.

Uganda is expected to elect five members in total from its Parliament to constitute its legislative representation in the continental assembly.

Cecilia Ogwal

MPs Cecilia Ogwal (opposition) and Otada Sam (Independent) were unanimously approved Thursday July 21 by the House.

The NRM party that constitutes the majority of the Members of the ninth Parliament is yet to name its three member representatives.

Government Chief Whip John Nasasira told Parliament that members of the party will have to meet again to review the list of four members earlier approved to join the Pan African Parliament.

Rule 12 of the Parliamentary rules of procedure commands that the representation in this parliament shall reflect the proportional party membership in the house and take into consideration the numerical strength of the parties, gender and interests of the independent members of Parliament.

The NRM party has been granted three seats with the opposition and independents each sending one representative.

By Isaac Senabulya

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