NUP formally seeks membership in key political dialogue body, IPOD

The National Unity Platform (NUP) has signaled a significant political shift by formally expressing its interest in becoming a member of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD). This move comes after the party maintained a distance from IPOD for years, citing its perceived ineffectiveness.

In a letter dated June 18, 2026, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya informed IPOD Executive Director Lawrence Sserwambala Kabaga of the party’s commitment to joining IPOD and signing the required Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This engagement aligns with recent amendments to the Political Parties and Organisations Act, which institutionalize IPOD within the National Consultative Forum (NCF) and make dialogue participation a prerequisite for accessing government funding.

NUP treasurer, Benjamin Katana, confirmed the party’s renewed interest, emphasizing that their motivation is not financial. Instead, NUP aims to leverage the IPOD platform to address critical issues such as political interference, harassment of opposition members, and the arbitrary arrests of supporters and leaders. Katana specifically mentioned the recent flight of NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu due to safety concerns as a key driver for seeking a formal dialogue channel.

Other opposition parties have reacted to NUP’s application. Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President Jimmy Akena welcomed the broader participation but expressed reservations about the mandatory nature of engagement. Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Deputy President Kaps Hassan Fungaroo, however, lauded NUP’s move, highlighting the importance of dialogue in strengthening opposition unity and advocating for electoral reforms and a level playing field for all political actors.

The Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) was established in 2009 to foster multiparty democracy in Uganda. Its membership currently includes seven political parties represented in the 12th Parliament. The mandatory engagement clause, introduced by the recent legislative amendments, has been a point of contention, with Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao having previously directed the Electoral Commission to withhold funds from parties not complying with these new requirements. This directive had impacted NUP’s access to public funds.

This development marks a notable change in NUP’s strategy towards structured political engagement within the established Ugandan political framework.