Uganda’s political focus will return to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds this Thursday, September 18th, as presidents of FDC, NRM, DP, UPC, JEEMA, and PPP convene for the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) Summit. The meeting has been organized by President Yoweri Museveni in his capacity as NRM Chairman, with his party currently holding IPOD’s rotational leadership.
One notable absence from the summit is National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Sources indicate that Museveni personally instructed the IPOD Secretariat not to invite him.
Museveni explained that NUP’s exclusion stems from the party’s refusal to register for IPOD membership. According to the recently amended political party law, unregistered parties cannot be recognized as members, making NUP ineligible to participate in IPOD activities.
During the summit, Museveni is expected to engage with Asuman Basalirwa of JEEMA, Norbert Mao of DP, Jimmy Akena of UPC, Saddam Gayira of PPP, and Patrick Oboi Amuriat of FDC. Their discussions will cover critical issues shaping Uganda’s political environment.
A major topic on the agenda will be how security agencies, such as the police, can implement the Public Order Management Act without hindering political party presidents and parliamentary candidates from campaigning freely across the country. This issue is especially sensitive as Uganda approaches the 2026 general elections.
Another key point will be the allocation of IPOD funding. Party leaders are anticipated to thank Museveni for agreeing that the Shs45 billion set aside for political financing will be distributed equally among parties with parliamentary representation, rather than based on their numerical strength.
This funding arrangement has been welcomed by many opposition leaders, particularly as 2026 is an election year and parties will require financial support to run their campaigns. Each party president will also attend with a delegation of their top officials to ensure strong representation.
As is customary at such high-level meetings, an official group photo session of all party presidents will take place. NUP, however, has long opposed these photo opportunities, arguing that they are used to enhance Museveni’s public image and lend him undeserved legitimacy.
Meanwhile, Museveni’s political future remains under scrutiny. He is expected to run again in 2026, seeking his ninth term as Uganda’s president, a move that has already sparked debate across the country.
By continuing to boycott IPOD, NUP risks losing not only the Shs45 billion funding but also arrears from the 2020/2021 campaign period. Museveni has promised to pay these arrears with interest, but only to parties officially part of IPOD, leaving Bobi Wine’s NUP excluded from both the discussions and the financial benefits.
