Former government spokesperson and long-serving National Resistance Movement (NRM) member Ofwono Opondohas pledged to focus his efforts on reinforcing President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign machinery ahead of the 2026 general elections, following his unopposed election as Member of Parliament for Older Persons representing the Eastern Region.
Speaking during NBS Frontline on Thursday, Opondo said his immediate priority would be to consolidate the NRM’s support base and ensure strong voter mobilisation across the region.
“Now that I am unopposed, I have the campaign of President Museveni that I must focus on. I must go where he has been, find the weaknesses, and make sure the ground is strong until poll day,” he said.
He emphasised that his victory signaled the confidence and unity within the ruling party, asserting his status as a duly elected representative.
“I’m not MP-designate, I am MP-elect,” he stated, adding that many opposition candidates lack serious intent.
“I told you that many of these candidates in the opposition are not candidates. Many are looking for opportunities to negotiate.”
Opondo’s declaration came after the Electoral Commission Tribunal, chaired by Justice Simon Mugyenyi Byamukama, upheld a decision that left him unopposed. The Tribunal found that Joram Mpande Kigenyi, the Democratic Party (DP) candidate, had submitted forged documents during his nomination. Kigenyi subsequently withdrew his case, clearing the way for Opondo’s uncontested victory.
Opondo’s entry into elective politics followed approval from President Museveni in May this year, after the veteran communications strategist resigned from his role as Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre.
His resignation came two months before the expiry of his three-year term, marking the end of over a decade at the helm of government communications.
Appointed in 2013 to succeed Fred Opolot, Opondo served under multiple contract renewals, becoming one of the longest-serving heads of the Media Centre. Before that, he was Director of Information and Public Relations at the Movement Secretariat from 2002, succeeding Winnie Byanyima, and has been the official NRM spokesperson since 2003.
Over the past two decades, Opondo has played key roles in President Museveni’s election campaigns, from 2001 through 2016, helping craft the party’s messaging and media strategy.
With his unopposed victory, Opondo is now set to represent Older Persons in the Eastern Region in the 12th Parliament, while contributing to the NRM’s broader strategy ahead of the 2026 polls.
