
“Cecilia Ogwal’s family has fronted her daughter Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal to replace her as Dokolo Woman MP. Alwoc Ogwal has been living in the UK and is not well versed with Dokolo. Her brother however says she has been briefed on the issues and is ready to stand” (News 24/7, 31.01.2024).
“Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal, first born daughter to the late Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal and Mzee Lamech Ogwal seek public opinion regarding pending projects the legislature left behind. This was during the Joint Regional council session Dokolo” (94.3 QFM Lira, 31.01.2024).
We have now seen this sort of story play out elsewhere when someone dies in office. This happened with Jacob Oulanyah and others like him. Where the sons are inheriting the offices of their fathers. Now a daughter is running to continue the legacy of her mother. There is no difference here other than the gender.
In Omoro County it was like this in 2022. Oyam North By-Election in 2023 was the same and so was Serere County By-Election in the same year. It was all inherited and family members taking over from the late Members of Parliament. This will be the fourth in this 11th Parliament alone and this practice is going back to 2012 and when Prosvocia Alengot got elected as the MP for Usuk County in Katekwi district. She got the office and the opportunity after her father passed away. Therefore, this is now a practice dating back to this.
While that all be true, and we have seen this as common practice. It surely is questionable and a form of nepotism. As families are now fencing in offices and ensuring their control of elected roles. That’s what they are doing by fielding family members.
This is surely questionable at best, as the citizens and the constituents are tricked to vote out of compassion or based on the narrative that the representative’s family is the righteous to leadership roles. While others in the same districts and counties are left behind. Were only handpicked individuals are getting ahead of the rest. That’s what is happening, and no one is shocked that the family of the late Cecilia Ogwal wants a continuation of her role.
We are just seeing a pattern of behavior and a common practice at this point. Because, if a family member dies in office. The family itself wants to ensure someone within the family takes over from them. This is the justification and pure hereditary politics. Where blood and kin matter more than stature, experience or even character. Heck, pledges or promises, even the so-called ethos of work is gone in the wind. Since the only thing matters is who was your father or mother. Not if you are qualified or not.
This isn’t Rosemary Ogwal’s fault, but she is a part of the same problem as the others. She is picked by family members who wants their family to have this privilege. That is the obvious path here. They want to eat of the plate and ensure their family wealth through representing Dokolo like her mother. Therefore, things are more of the same and someone who inherits office.
There will be other contestants and candidates who will linger. However, if the previous by-elections are telling. Than Rosemary will be first in line and get elected. That we saw in Serere, Oyam North and Omoro. It wouldn’t be out of order, if the same happens in Dokolo. Peace.









