Ex Government spokesperson and Member of Parliament Ofwono Opondo has dismissed claims that he fled Uganda following his public disagreement with Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, insisting that he is currently away on official parliamentary duties and will return as planned.
The exchange followed a social media post by Muhoozi suggesting that Opondo had left the country to escape the escalating confrontation between the two government figures.
In his message, Muhoozi said he had received information that Opondo, identified by his initials as “O.O.,” had fled Uganda. He added a warning that security personnel would be waiting for him whenever he attempted to return.
However, Opondo swiftly responded to the CDF, dismissing the suggestion that he had escaped the country because of the ongoing disagreement.
Addressing Muhoozi as his “estranged brother,” Opondo explained that his absence from Uganda was connected to official parliamentary responsibilities and not an attempt to avoid any confrontation.
“There’s absolutely no reason for me to flee my country and government,” Opondo stated, maintaining that he would return according to his planned schedule.
His response appeared intended to counter the impression that Muhoozi’s earlier ultimatum had forced him into exile or made him abandon his political and government responsibilities.
The latest exchange comes amid an increasingly heated disagreement that began after Opondo criticised Muhoozi’s growing political ambitions, his involvement in political discussions while serving as CDF and campaigns by supporters promoting him as a possible presidential candidate in 2031.
The confrontation intensified when Muhoozi reportedly issued Opondo a seven-day ultimatum, demanding that he apologise on his knees over remarks considered offensive.
Rather than comply, Opondo responded with a defiant statement that attracted widespread attention, declaring: “The 7th day will find me at my burial ground.”
The remark was widely interpreted as a rejection of the pressure to apologise, with Opondo appearing prepared to stand by his position despite possible consequences.
The latest claims that he had fled Uganda have now introduced another dimension to the dispute, with the MP directly challenging the narrative and insisting that his absence is temporary.
The public disagreement has attracted attention because both individuals occupy influential positions within the ruling establishment, raising questions about tensions between political leaders and the country’s military leadership.
For now, Opondo maintains that he has no intention of abandoning Uganda and intends to return after completing his parliamentary engagements, despite Muhoozi’s warning.
