Opondo Bid for member of Parliament Gains Momentum.
A wave of delegates from across Busoga are shifting support to veteran government communicator Ofwono Opondo. The former executive director of the Uganda Media Centre and long-time spokesperson for the government of Uganda. His bid for Eastern Region Older Persons MP centres on proposals for stronger social protection and improved health services for seniors. As a result, his campaign has attracted growing attention as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) moves toward its late-August meetings at Kololo.
Opondo Policy Proposals for Older Persons
According to his campaign team, Opondo has recently met with electoral-college delegates across the eastern region. During these meetings, he has pitched a platform that includes lowering the SAGE eligibility age, indexing payments to inflation, adjusting pensions, providing annual health checks, and subsidising utilities for older persons.
Delegates interviewed on the trail described his agenda as “practical” and “people-centred.” In addition, Opondo has consistently framed his campaign around elevating seniors’ visibility in policy and increasing the monthly Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE).
At a recent engagement in Mbale City, for example, he urged government to raise SAGE from the current level to amounts above Shs150,000, arguing that older citizens deserve targeted relief. He has also outlined a comprehensive seven-point programme for older persons.
Delegates Signal Support
In Kamuli, campaign officials claim delegates issued a signed declaration rallying behind Opondo. Meanwhile, photographs shared from the trail show gatherings in Jinja and surrounding districts. Therefore, his campaign has portrayed these developments as evidence of growing momentum as delegates prepare to convene in Kampala.
Beyond rallies, Opondo has also maintained an active social-media presence. He recently noted that he is “winding up consultations” in Kamuli and Buyende as the NRM’s internal calendar approaches its peak.
Minister Gidudu’s Counter-Agenda
The seat is currently held by State Minister for Elderly Affairs Dominic Mafwabi Gidudu, a long-standing figure in older-persons policy. Recently, Gidudu has highlighted plans to move SAGE payment points to health facilities and to institute an Elders’ Health Day aimed at expanding access to services. His camp, as a result, is expected to emphasise continuity and delivery as the race tightens.
What Comes Next for NRM
Party communications indicate that national meetings and elective conferences are slated for late August at Kololo Independence Grounds. Uganda’s older-persons representatives are chosen by an electoral college of delegates—a system first used to elect the inaugural cohort in the 11th Parliament. Consequently, these late-August party meetings are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of this special-interest seat.
Key questions ahead of Kololo include:
Will more district-level delegations issue formal endorsements before the conference?
How will both camps sharpen their policy contrasts on SAGE levels, pension portability, and primary healthcare access for seniors?
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