The former Director of the Government Media Centre, Ofwono Opondo, has spoken out about his recent victory over State Minister for Elderly Affairs, Dominic Gidudu Mafwabi, in the race for Member of Parliament representing Older Persons in the Eastern Region.
In an exclusive interview with this website yesterday in Kampala, Opondo said he was not surprised by his win against the embattled minister, whom he defeated with 168 votes to 122. He stated that the minister, having been preoccupied with many other responsibilities, neglected to serve his constituents—who, in turn, chose to respond accordingly at the ballot.
Opondo expressed his commitment to introducing favorable legislation in the 12th Parliament that serves the interests of older persons. He emphasized that they deserve to be treated with dignity, as they are senior citizens who laid the foundational blocks of the country’s current development.
He congratulated the electorate for entrusting him with their mandate, adding that he would work with all stakeholders to ensure that the constitutional rights and needs of older persons are fully addressed. This includes the enactment of policies such as increasing the monthly payout under the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) program.
Opondo also pointed out that Gidudu reportedly failed to address the pressing challenges faced by older persons, despite having served in three key roles: State Minister for Elderly Affairs, MP for Older Persons in the Eastern Region, and NRM CEC member for the same region.
Gidudu lost both the parliamentary seat—where he was the incumbent—and his bid to become the National Vice Chairperson of the NRM Elderly League, a position he lost to Penninah Busingye, the current MP representing Older Persons in the Central Region.
The Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) program in Uganda is a government initiative, supported by development partners, that provides cash transfers to vulnerable households, particularly older persons. Its aim is to reduce chronic poverty and improve access to essential services.
Initially launched as a pilot, SAGE has evolved into a national program focused on the Senior Citizens Grant (SCG) and the Vulnerable Family Support Grant (VFSG), addressing widespread poverty and its social consequences.
