The Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) has welcomed the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) recent willingness to join the political dialogue platform but insists that the party must follow the formal procedures outlined in IPOD’s governing documents before signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
In a letter dated October 10, 2025, and addressed to the NUP Secretary General, IPOD acknowledged the party’s shift in position and expressed appreciation for its declared commitment to engaging in constructive, multiparty dialogue.
“IPOD appreciates your party’s intention to sign the Memorandum of Understanding and commends your commitment to strengthening Uganda’s multiparty democracy through constructive political dialogue,” the communication reads.
However, IPOD clarified that joining the organisation is not an automatic process and requires formal steps, beginning with a written Expression of Interest.
Citing Article 5.2.7 of the IPOD MoU, the organisation emphasized that any political party seeking membership must first officially declare its intention to participate in the organisation’s objectives, principles, and obligations.
“The process of joining IPOD is distinct from simply signing the MoU. The formal expression of interest constitutes the first legal and procedural step, which then allows the IPOD Council to consider and approve the application,” the letter noted.
Only upon council approval, IPOD added, can logistical arrangements be made for the party to sign and formally accede to the MoU.
NUP’s Changing Position
This development follows NUP’s recent announcement that it is now ready to sign the IPOD MoU — a marked shift from its earlier stance. The party had previously rejected participation in the platform, accusing it of lacking transparency and being used as a tool to coerce opposition parties into government-friendly coalitions without genuine political reforms.
IPOD has now urged NUP to formalize its position by writing to the Secretary to Council, confirming its readiness to engage in the platform’s dialogue activities, programs, and institutional mechanisms.
If completed, NUP’s admission into IPOD would mark a significant turning point in Uganda’s political landscape, potentially paving the way for broader consensus-building ahead of future electoral processes.
