Ofwono Opondo Resigns from Media Centre, to Contest for MP

Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo

The executive director of the Uganda Media Center, who doubles as the spokesperson of the government of Uganda, Ofwono Opondo, has resigned his position to contest for Member of Parliament in the 2026 general elections.

Opondo said Thursday that he has already written his resignation letter to President Museveni, adding that he will officially hand over office on Monday.

“For avoidance of doubt, I have written my resignation letter; I am handing it in tomorrow, and on Monday, I will be handing over the office,” he said.

It is mandatory for public servants to resign from their public offices before joining elective politics.

Section 4(4) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, 2005, provides that “under the multiparty political system, a public officer or a person employed in any government department or agency of the government or an employee of a local government or anybody in which the government has a controlling interest, who wishes to stand for elections as a member of Parliament, shall, in the case of a general election, resign his or her office at least ninety days before nomination day.”

Similarly, Section 116(5) of the Local Governments Act Cap 243 provides that “under the multiparty system, a public officer or a person employed in any government department or agency of the government or an employee of a local council or anybody in which the government has a controlling interest who wishes to stand for election to a local council office shall resign his or her office at least thirty days before nomination day in accordance with the procedure of the service or employment to which he or she belongs.”

Furthermore, pursuant to the Political Parties and Organizations Act, Section 16 thereof, public officers are barred from, inter alia, holding a political office in a political party or organization, speaking in public or publishing anything involving matters of political party or organization, and engaging in canvassing support of a political party or organization or of a candidate standing for public election sponsored by a political party or organization.

Opondo, the 61-year-old veteran journalist, intends to run for MP for the elderly (Eastern Uganda). The position is currently held by Dominic Gidudu Mafwabi, who doubles as Minister for the Elderly.

Opondo has been heading the Uganda Media Center since 2013