By Patriot Corps
The National Unity Platform (NUP) has come under fire from sections of the public and its supporters after announcing it will sign the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) Memorandum of Understanding, a move that reverses its years-long boycott of the platform.
In a statement released Wednesday, NUP said the decision followed amendments to the Political Parties and Organisations Act that made membership in either IPOD or the Forum for Non-Represented Political Parties mandatory for all registered political parties.
“As we await the decision of the Constitutional Court, the National Unity Platform has decided to sign the current Memorandum of Understanding since it is already a member of the applicable constitutive organ by conscription of the law,” the party stated.
The party said it had filed a constitutional petition challenging the process and content of the amendment, accusing the government of enacting the law “without consultation” to “target and cripple” NUP.
“Already, the Electoral Commission is using this law to discriminate against and cripple the operations of the National Unity Platform,” the statement added
Law Ties Funding to Participation
President Yoweri Museveni assented to the amendment in June 2025, which ties access to the Shs3.1 billion political parties’ fund to IPOD participation. Under the previous framework, NUP received about Shs800 million annually but risked losing it after refusing to join IPOD.
The party’s new position, while couched as compliance with the law, has been widely interpreted as a financial necessity ahead of the 2026 elections.
Social Media
NUP’s announcement triggered a storm of online reactions, with many supporters accusing the party of hypocrisy and inconsistency.
“Good move to sign the current memorandum for that money and fund party activities,” wrote one supporter under the handle Lawyer Wa Bobi.
Others were more critical. “So you still trust the judicial system of Uganda?” asked Brian Craigs, while Komuntu Sophie quipped, “Why don’t you wait for the Constitutional Court decision? Those who have been fetching big salaries at the party headquarters can wait for the ruling.”
“NUP has finally yielded to Museveni’s IPOD money trap,” tweeted Abbas Kazibwe, while PriEst mocked, “Aren’t you the ones fighting the government that you now want funds from? Everything is zig-zag in this Ugandan opposition.”
Another user, Global Investigator, defended the move: “That is our money, not Gen. Museveni’s money.”
Political commentator Ninki Kenneth added perspective:
“Please @NUP_Ug, be honest and tell your supporters that Parliament amended the law to fund only parties that are members of IPOD.”
The reversal marks a striking contrast to earlier remarks by NUP deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, who in June 2025 declared:
“To hell with their IPOD money. We will not participate in IPOD, we will not engage in forceful dialogues. We are not driven by funding but by the determination to end this tyrannical rule.”
NUP’s decision reflects a pragmatic recalibration rather than ideological surrender.
It’s appears to be recognition of political realities — you can’t operate a national party without funding.
Source: chimpreports