Lira City East MP and Uganda People's Congress (UPC) President Jimmy Akena has strongly criticised the contentious Political Parties and Organisations Amendment Bill 2025, questioning the lack of consultation with political party leadership.
The bill seeks to restrict public funding to political parties that do not participate in the activities of the Inter-Party Organisation Dialogue (IPOD).
Akena expressed his concerns on the floor of Parliament, highlighting the importance of consulting with political parties on a bill that directly affects them. "Why were political parties not consulted on a key bill that affects them?" Akena asked.
Akena also criticised the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, which has been at the helm of IPOD for the last four years, for not holding meetings.
"The NRM should be blamed for not holding any IPOD meeting for the last 4 years," Akena said.
Akena further alleged that the bill has been passed in bad faith, undermining the spirit of dialogue and cooperation among political parties. "The bill has been passed in bad faith," Akena stated. "This bill is diabolical and undermines dialogue."
Akena's strong words highlight the deep concerns surrounding the contentious bill.
As Parliament continues to debate the bill, the lack of consultation with political parties and the role of NRM in IPOD's weakening will likely remain key points of contention.