14/06/2025
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: FROM BOTTOM TO TOP
CELEBRATING THE ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER OF MRS. MARGARET ORIK OBONYO (ACP) ON HER RETIREMENT
Today, June 14, 2025, the Uganda Prisons Service bids a heartfelt farewell to Assistant Commissioner of Prisons (ACP) Margaret Orik Obonyo, who officially retires after an extraordinary 43-year career. As the Regional Prisons Commander for Northern Uganda, Mrs. Obonyo’s journey from a recruit wardress to a transformative leader exemplifies resilience, discipline, and a commitment to serving the sovereign state of Uganda. Her story is one of triumph over adversity, marked by exceptional leadership, community engagement, and a legacy that will inspire generations.
Born on June 14, 1962, in Gulu District, Margaret Orik Obonyo’s early life was shaped by ambition and hardship. She completed her Primary Leaving Education in 1978 and attended Gulu High School for her O-levels. Tragically, the loss of her father during the brutal Idi Amin regime disrupted her education, forcing her to drop out of school due to lack of school fees. This setback shattered her dream of becoming an engineer, but it did not dim her determination to make a meaningful impact.
In 1981, at the age of 19, she joined the Uganda Prisons Service as a recruit wardress following a successful recruitment exercise at Booma Grounds in Gulu District. Her commitment and discipline shone through during training, where she emerged as the best female trainee, earning numerous prizes for her adherence to training norms. Her flexibility, intellect, and leadership abilities quickly distinguished her, setting the stage for an illustrious career.
Mrs. Obonyo’s early career saw her deployed to the Prisons Training School as a trainer, a role she executed with diligence for 24 years until 2006. During this period, she played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of prison officers, training many of the service’s senior leaders, including the current Commissioner General of Prisons, Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons, all Assistant Commissioner Generals of Prisons, and various Heads of Departments between 1982 and 2006. Her influence on the Uganda Prisons Service’s leadership pipeline remains profound.
In 2006, she was transferred to Mbale Women Prison as Officer-in-Charge, where her administrative prowess transformed the facility into a model of excellence. Under her leadership, Mbale Women Prison became renowned for its high level of organization, neatness, and smartness, with significant improvements in staff well-being and inmate livelihoods. Her ability to foster discipline and rehabilitation earned the prison widespread recognition.
Mrs. Obonyo’s talents extended beyond Uganda’s borders. Her exemplary service led to her appointment under the United Nations Mission in Sudan and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, where she served with distinction for nearly two years. Her diplomatic assignments showcased her ability to represent Uganda with professionalism and grace, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile leader.
Upon her return, Mrs. Obonyo made history as the first female Officer-in-Charge of Gulu Main Prison. She later rose to District Prisons Commander for Gulu and, subsequently, Regional Prisons Commander for Northern Uganda—a position she has held with exceptional administrative skill until her retirement.
Since her appointment as Regional Prisons Commander, Mrs. Obonyo has overseen the establishment of several new prison units across Northern Uganda, including Nwoya, Amuru, Orom Tikau, Lututuru, Patongo, Pader, and Aswa. These facilities have strengthened the region’s correctional infrastructure, access to justice, improved prisons production, enhancing rehabilitation and community reintegration efforts. Her leadership has ensured these units operate with efficiency and align with the Uganda Prisons Service’s mission of safe, secure, humane custody and rehabilitation.
Mrs. Obonyo’s legacy is not confined to prison walls. Her strong community engagement and public relations skills have been a cornerstone of her tenure. She prioritized building trust and collaboration between the Uganda Prisons Service and local communities, fostering partnerships that enhanced the service’s impact. Her initiatives included skills training and rehabilitation programs for inmates, enabling them to reintegrate as productive members of society.
Her approachable demeanor and dedication to public relations earned her respect from high-ranking government officials, who frequently visited her region to witness her transformative work. Mrs. Obonyo’s ability to balance operational excellence with community outreach has left an enduring mark on Northern Uganda.
Despite the challenges that interrupted her early education, Mrs. Obonyo pursued further studies, earning a Diploma in Business Studies from the Northern Institute of Business Management. Her commitment to personal growth mirrored her professional dedication. A happily married mother of five (three girls and two boys) and a proud grandmother of eight, she has balanced her remarkable career with a fulfilling family life, serving as an inspiration to women in uniform.
Her success is rooted in her core values: character, discipline, hard work, and an unrelenting determination to serve Uganda. Mrs. Obonyo’s willingness to push boundaries and her belief in the power of perseverance have made her a role model for aspiring leaders.
As ACP Margaret Orik Obonyo retires on her 63rd birthday, her four decades of monumental contributions is highly celebrated. We wish her a well-deserved retirement filled with joy, family, and new adventures.
CELEBRATING WOMEN IN UNIFORM
www.ugandaprisons.go.ug
