KAMPALA. Outspoken former executive director of Uganda Media Centre , Mr Ofwono Opondo has won the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s flag for the older persons’ member of Parliament for Eastern Uganda ahead of next year’s General Elections.
To win the flag, Opondo trounced State Minister for Older Persons Dominic Mafabi Gidudu in a tightly contested race during the ongoing NRM elections for special interest groups at Kololo Independence Grounds on Monday.
Opondo garnered 168 votes, against Mafabi’s 122 votes .
“On behalf of the NRM Electoral Commission, I declare Ofwono Opondo, having polled the highest number of votes, as the NRM flagbearer for MP for older persons for Eastern Uganda,” NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr.Tanga Odoi said.
Speaking shortly after the election , OO as he is commonly called by his peers , said now is time to “strengthen the NRM voice on the floor of parliament” where he previously worked as a reporter for government owned New Vision .
On his manifesto, Opondo promised to bring national visibility to older persons in Parliament, criticizing the current MPs for older persons for being “invisible and inaudible.”
“When I rise to speak, I will be recognized,” he said. “I bring a national voice and access that can’t be ignored.”
He is calling for a review of the national pension scheme to ensure benefits keep pace with inflation, preserving the elderly’s purchasing power.
Opondo wants the Senior Citizens Grant eligibility age reduced from 80 to 75, with a long-term goal of covering all citizens aged 60 and above. He also proposes raising the current shs 25,000 monthly stipend to a “realistic and dignified” figure.
“Government may not afford to treat everyone fully, but it must prioritise children and older persons,” he argued.
Opondo pledged to build coalitions with MPs representing women, youth, persons with disabilities, and workers to form a unified voting bloc that can shape national budgets and policy direction.
“We’re talking about 1.5 million Ugandans above 60. With proper targeting, this is not fiscally impossible. What we lack is political attention and voice.”