The former Government spokesperson and newly sworn-in MP for the Elderly in Eastern Uganda, Ofwono Opondo, has asked Ugandans to remain patient, insisting that only the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has the mandate to determine who becomes the next Speaker of Parliament.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament shortly after taking the oath, Opondo dismissed the excitement surrounding endorsements by what he described as “formations,” saying the decision on the Speaker rests with the NRM.
“Don’t be excited for another week. It is only the NRM that will determine who the next Speaker of Parliament will be, even if some formation has endorsed Jacob Oboth-Oboth. The next Speaker will come from the NRM and not any other political party,” Opondo said.
His remarks come amid growing debate over the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, following endorsements of Jacob Oboth-Oboth by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and some PLU MPs.
Opondo also outlined some of the priorities he intends to push for as the representative of the elderly in Eastern Uganda, with a major focus on healthcare access for senior citizens.
He proposed government-supported medical insurance targeting common illnesses affecting the elderly, including diabetes, high blood pressure, prostate complications, and arthritis.
“From the 2014 census, people aged 60 and above do not exceed 1.6 million. The people who really need support may be about 800,000. My proposal is to first have annual medical examinations because, if you know what you have, then you can avoid certain things,” he said.
Opondo added that since the government already supports maternal health services and immunisation for children, it should also consider providing health insurance for diseases that commonly affect older persons.
