Lira City Celebrates Leadership and Legacy: Late Hon. Cecilia Atim Ogwal’s Family Honors MP-Elect Dr. Aceng with Symbolic Winning Goat
By Atek Jolly Piloya
LIRA CITY, UGANDA – January 22, 2025: In a heartfelt tribute that blended tradition, admiration, and a call for principled leadership, the family of the late veteran politician and beloved regional matriarch, the Hon. Cecilia Atim Ogwal (RIP), today honored Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero with a symbolic winning goat—a culturally rich gesture acknowledging her resounding victory as Woman Member of Parliament for Lira City and her transformative leadership in the region.
The ceremony, held at a private residence in Lira City, was steeped in emotion and cultural pride. Members of the Atim Ogwal family presented Dr. Aceng, who doubles as Uganda’s former Minister of Health, with the prize goat—a symbol in Langi tradition for celebrating excellence, victory, and leadership that uplifts the community.
The gesture, rare and deeply significant, underscored the family’s belief that Dr. Aceng’s dedication to public service closely mirrors the enduring legacy of the late Cecilia Atim Ogwal, who served the Lango sub-region with distinction for decades and was renowned for her advocacy for women, health, and education.
“Dr. Aceng embodies the kind of leadership our mother stood for—humble, God-fearing, service-oriented, and relentlessly committed to progress,” said one of Cecilia Atim Ogwal’s sons during the presentation. “This goat is not just for winning the election. It is for winning the hearts of the people through action. It is for building clinics, rehabilitating roads, and speaking for Lira even when it was not convenient.”
The presentation drew cheers and songs from community members who gathered to witness the symbolic baton-passing moment between two eras of strong female leadership in Lira.
In her response, Dr. Aceng expressed deep gratitude to the Atim Ogwal family, calling the honor “one of the most touching recognitions” of her political journey.
“I am humbled beyond words. To be linked, even in symbol, to the great Cecilia Atim Ogwal—a woman of courage, compassion, and unwavering faith—is a profound honor,” Dr. Aceng said. “She paved the way for women like me to serve with purpose. I accept this goat not as a personal trophy, but as a reminder that leadership is a responsibility—first to God, then to the people.”
She reiterated her commitment to God-centered governance, echoing the family’s call for humility and moral integrity in leadership. “As I take up this renewed mandate, I promise to lead with prayer in my heart, truth in my words, and service in every action,” she pledged.
The Atim Ogwal’s family also took the opportunity to commend the electorate of Lira City for their decisive choice.
“We thank the people of Lira City for their wisdom. You did not vote for noise. You voted for results. You voted for a leader who has delivered—Health centres with medicines, schools with teachers, streets with light,” a family spokesperson said. “We urge Dr. Aceng to continue putting God first. Seek His wisdom daily. Lead with love, not power.”
The gift of a “winning goat” is traditionally awarded to champions in cultural and political achievements among the Langi people, symbolizing prosperity, honor, and communal blessing. Its presentation to Dr. Aceng marks a rare fusion of political recognition and cultural affirmation.
Political analysts in the region say the event signals a growing movement in Northern Uganda—a conscious effort by communities to celebrate leadership not based on rhetoric, but on tangible impact and moral authority.
Dr. Aceng’s re-election to Parliament comes on the back of a widely acknowledged tenure marked by improved healthcare access, the ongoing expansion of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, and robust advocacy for infrastructure projects, including roads and clean water systems.
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