Kampala, Uganda – On Saturday, April 19, 2025, Uganda’s longtime government spokesperson and Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre, Ofwono Opondo, resigned from his post to officially launch his bid to contest for Member of Parliament representing the elderly in Eastern Region in the 2026 general elections.
His resignation accepted this week marks the end of a 12-year tenure in state media relations and signals the start of a high-stakes political battle against current Minister for the Elderly, Dominic Gidudu Mafabi.
The decision has echoed through Uganda’s political and media corridors given Opondo’s decades-long reputation as the face of government communication, a no-nonsense commentator and a fierce defender of National Resistance Movement (NRM) policies.
In an interview with Capital FM on Saturday morning, the usually composed Opondo was strikingly passionate about his next chapter:
“I have spent years articulating the government’s position. Now it’s time to be part of the legislative process to represent the people directly, not just speak for them.”
Opondo, who has been at the wheel of Uganda’s government messaging since 2013, is no stranger to controversy. Known for his blunt talk, unwavering defense of President Museveni’s administration and strategic media control, he has built both a fan base and a long list of critics.
His move to contest the MP seat puts him directly against Dominic Gidudu Mafabi, a seasoned political actor currently serving as Minister for the Elderly.
His resignation is viewed by many as both a political gamble and a power statement emphasizing not only his readiness to face voters head-on but also his belief in serving beyond the press podium.
Sources inside the NRM reveal that Opondo’s decision was not made overnight. Over recent months, he has been observed quietly engaging with community leaders, elders, and youth networks across Eastern Uganda.
His resignation comes at a time when the political environment is heating up ahead of the 2026 general elections, with early declarations giving candidates a head start on mobilization and visibility.
In his upcoming campaign, Opondo is expected to focus on governance reforms, championing elder rights and promoting meaningful dialogue between opposition and ruling factions a pivot from years of top-down messaging to bottom-up representation.
Public reaction has been polarizing. Supporters laud him as a fearless leader with deep understanding of Uganda’s governance system, while critics accuse him of simply switching roles to grip on to power.
“He has always defended what many Ugandans struggle to accept. Let him now face the electorate and prove that his convictions resonate with the people.”
Yet, colleagues at the Media Centre praise his legacy, calling him a transformational figure who ushered the institution into the digital age of government communication.
With this career shift, Ofwono Opondo now steps into the arena of competitive politics, going head-to-head with a sitting minister in what promises to be one of the most watched contests in the 2026 elections. For a man who has shaped Uganda’s national discourse from behind a microphone, the next battlefield is the ballot box.
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