Permanent Secretary Dorcas Okalany Hailed as a Heroine Across Bugisu, Teso and Bukedi

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Dorcas Wagima Okalany, has been hailed as one of the most influential and respected public servants originating from the greater Bugisu region, with her impact extending across Teso, Bukedi and the entire country.

According to the spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Hon. Steven Masiga, Hon. Dorcas Okalany remains a shining example of dedication, patriotism and cultural pride despite serving in one of the country’s most demanding public offices.

Masiga noted that although Hon. Okalany is married in Teso and resides in Bukedi, the people of Bugisu continue to regard her as their beloved daughter, a factor that influenced the decision by His Highness the Umukuuka of Bugisu, Jude Mike Mudoma, to appoint her as the full Minister for Gender and Community Affairs in the Bugisu Cultural Institution.

“Hon. Dorcas Okalany is born here in Bugisu, married in Teso and connected to Bukedi where her father served as a senior government official. She therefore represents unity among communities and remains an important mobilizer and ambassador of our people,” Masiga explained.

He further revealed that when the Umukuuka recently met President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Hon. Dorcas Okalany was among the distinguished leaders profiled to interface with the President because of her outstanding contribution to public service and community mobilization.

Masiga recalled Hon. Okalany’s consistent engagements with clan chairpersons across Bugisu and Bukedi where she encouraged communities to embrace government development programs through traditional clan structures. He particularly credited her for tactfully mobilizing communities during previous presidential campaigns using indigenous cultural networks.

“She communicates directly to communities in languages they understand. She is fluent in Lumasaba, Ateso and Lugwere. Unlike some leaders who depend entirely on English, Hon. Dorcas freely engages people in their local languages and this has strengthened her connection with ordinary citizens,” Masiga said.

As Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Dorcas Okalany has gained national and international recognition for championing Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms in resolving land conflicts across Uganda.

Masiga explained that through localized and community-based methods rooted in customs and traditional reconciliation approaches, many land-related disputes have been settled peacefully without escalating into prolonged violence and court battles.

Her contribution to Uganda’s land governance sector is also strongly linked to the development of the National Land Policy of 2013, a milestone that many observers consider transformative in streamlining land administration in Uganda.

According to Masiga, Uganda had for decades operated without a consolidated national land policy despite having various legislations such as the 1969 Public Lands Act and the controversial 1975 Land Reform Decree that attempted to centralize land ownership under government control.

However, following the coming into power of the NRM government and the constitutional provision under Article 237 recognizing that land belongs to the citizens of Uganda under various tenure systems, government initiated reforms that culminated into the National Land Policy.

“Hon. Dorcas Okalany was among the critical technical teams that spearheaded the development of the National Land Policy in 2013 and subsequent amendments. This remains one of her signature contributions to Uganda,” Masiga emphasized.

Recently, Hon. Okalany received the prestigious Abeto Africa Peace Award in recognition of her efforts in promoting non-adversarial conflict resolution in the land sector, becoming the first Ugandan to receive the accolade.

Masiga further defended the Permanent Secretary against what he described as unfair attacks from individuals implicated in corruption and abuse of office within various zonal land offices across the country.

“As Permanent Secretary, she has cracked the whip on corruption and white-collar crimes in the ministry. Some of those facing investigations resort to negative media campaigns instead of accepting accountability,” he said.

Hon. Dorcas Wagima Okalany was born in Buwalasi, Sironko District, and has over the years maintained strong cultural and developmental ties with her home region.

Masiga noted that her mobilization efforts through the Bugisu Cultural Institution’s clan structures significantly contributed to political awareness and community coordination in Sironko and surrounding districts.

Her influence, however, stretches beyond Bugisu into Teso and Bukedi where she is equally respected due to her family and social ties.

The Umukuuka of Bugisu, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, praised Hon. Okalany as a dependable leader who understands the interests of the communities she belongs to and effectively communicates government positions to ordinary citizens.

“Dorcas understands the aspirations of the Bamasaba and equally appreciates the concerns of the people of Teso and Bukedi. She is a good ambassador and a bridge between government and the people,” the Umukuuka reportedly said.

Leaders from the Teso Cultural Union and Bugwere Cultural Institution also reportedly commended Hon. Okalany for embracing cultural diversity and maintaining close relations with various communities.

The Emorimor of Teso was quoted describing her as “our mother here” because of her ability to communicate fluently in Ateso, the language of her husband’s people.

Similarly, leaders in Bugwere noted that she comfortably communicates in Lugwere, reflecting her maternal roots, while still preserving her Lumasaba heritage whenever she interacts with the Umukuuka and the Bamasaba community.

In the Ministry of Lands, Hon. Okalany has also been credited for strengthening land records management systems and spearheading digitization initiatives aimed at protecting government land from illegal grabbing.

Observers say the establishment of centralized land inventories and modernization of records management systems has significantly reduced confusion and fraud involving public land ownership.

Her calm personality, administrative discipline and commitment to alternative justice systems continue to distinguish her as one of Uganda’s most respected technocrats in public service.

Masiga concluded by describing Hon. Dorcas Okalany as a permanent ambassador for Bugisu, Bukedi and Teso within government structures.

“With Hon. Dorcas in government, Bugisu, Bukedi and Teso have a dependable representative in public service. My duty as spokesperson is to tell the world the good things our sons and daughters are doing for society,” Masiga stated.