The Democratic Party (DP) has expressed support for the 2025 Political Parties and Organizations (Amendment) Bill, which aims to formalize two key organs within the National Consultative Forum, specifically the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) and a Forum for Non-Represented Political Parties and Organizations.
Addressing the press at the DP headquarters on Balintuma Road in Rubaga on May 20, 2025, DP legal advisor Kenneth Nsubuga highlighted the importance of the bill in revitalizing IPOD, an institution that has remained largely dormant since its inception.
“The Political Parties and Organizations Act initially established the National Consultative Forum, but it has not been fully operational. This amendment will legalize IPOD’s structures and streamline political dialogue in Uganda,” Nsubuga explained.
He stressed that fully operationalizing IPOD is crucial to ensure fairness in the distribution of government funding to political parties.
“We have repeatedly heard claims from NUP, FDC, and other parties that they do not belong to IPOD, yet they continue to benefit from funds allocated to IPOD members. This bill aims to end such double standards; you cannot have your cake and eat it,” Nsubuga added.
He further emphasized that engagement in dialogue with the government does not imply complete agreement but is a vital process that should be embraced by all political actors.
However, not everyone shares this optimistic view. The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) spokesperson and Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, expressed concerns that the bill is designed to restrict funding only to parties that closely cooperate with the government.
“There is a political party’s bill aimed at controlling how parties receive funding. The government is essentially saying parties must only receive money if they cooperate with it,” Ssemujju stated.
The Political Parties and Organizations (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was introduced by Napak District Woman MP Hon Faith Nakut during a parliamentary plenary session chaired by Speaker Anita Among on May 14, 2025. Hon Nakut had moved a motion the previous day under Rules 127 and 128 of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure to seek permission to introduce the Private Member’s Bill.
The bill’s primary objective is to amend the Political Parties and Organizations Act, Cap. 178, by restricting government funding and access to public resources exclusively to political parties and organizations that are members of the National Consultative Forum.
Supporters argue that these changes will enhance transparency and accountability and create a more structured political engagement framework. Meanwhile, critics warn that limiting funding only to registered members of the Forum risks stifling political diversity and marginalizing emerging or dissenting parties from essential resources.
As the debate unfolds, political analysts and civil society organizations continue to watch closely, given the bill’s potential to reshape Uganda’s democratic landscape.
