Academic and political analyst Imam Idi Kasozi has criticised the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), claiming the platform is more about financial gain than meaningful political engagement.
“IPOD is largely about money. That’s where the debate is,” Imam Kasozi said, highlighting growing concerns around the organisation’s operations and motives.
Kasozi condemned political parties that refuse to participate actively in IPOD meetings but still seek to benefit from its resources.
“Those who don’t attend IPOD meetings are pretenders. All they do is pretence, but when it comes to resources, they rush for them,” he said, emphasising the perceived hypocrisy.
While appearing on NBS TV Morning Breeze Show, Imam Kasozi further criticised Uganda’s political landscape for neglecting to understand IPOD’s intended role and purpose in fostering multi-party dialogue.
“We have never taken critical time to understand what exactly IPOD is supposed to do in this country,” Kasozi said, calling for deeper reflection on the organisation’s mandate and function.
These remarks come amid ongoing debates over IPOD’s relevance, effectiveness, and the participation of major political parties, with some opposition groups boycotting its meetings and challenging its legitimacy.
However, the Executive Director of IPOD, Lawrence Sserwambala, defended the institution’s independence and operations amid questions about opposition participation and government funding.
Sserwambala dismissed claims that President Museveni controls IPOD, stressing that the organisation’s direction is determined by its summit of member parties.
“The President doesn’t call the shots of IPOD, the summit does,” he said, underscoring that IPOD leadership is rotational and currently headed by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Addressing concerns about the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) role, Sserwambala confirmed that NUP is not yet a member of IPOD, as it has not signed the required Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“NUP, as we speak, is not a member of IPOD. After the Minister issues a statutory instrument, then NUP will have to come into the IPOD fold as per the law,” he explained.
He further noted that the absence of both NUP and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) from a recent meeting with the NRM chairman was not unusual.
“First of all, NUP wasn’t the only party that wasn’t represented at the meeting with the NRM Chairman. FDC also didn’t show up. This isn’t a big deal given that NUP hasn’t signed the MoU that would bring it into the IPOD fold,” he said.
Sserwambala also clarified that government funding to parties such as NUP has not been linked to their membership in IPOD.
“The money NUP has been receiving from the government until the 5th of June has not been pegged to membership of IPOD,” he stated.
He emphasised that IPOD represents many political parties in Uganda and reiterated that no party is forced to join.
“Parties aren’t equivalent to NRM or NUP. There are many political parties in Uganda. I am not going to coerce a party to join,” he said.
Despite current challenges, Sserwambala assured that the institution of IPOD will continue to exist and operate regardless of membership.
“The institution of IPOD will remain, with or without members,” he said.
