The Interparty Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) said Tuesday that its doors are still open for other political parties, including the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), to join the platform.

NUP, led by former Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, has remained firm against joining IPOD.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) declined to append their signatures on the new IPOD memorandum of understanding signed by other political parties.

IPOD is currently chaired by Richard Todwong of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

When NUP became the dominant opposition party in Parliament after the 2021 general elections, IPOD invited Kyagulanyi's party to join, but NUP turned down the invitation.

One of the reasons they declined to join the platform was its being reportedly largely instrumentalized by the NRM regime.

Muhammad Kateregga, the Justice Forum (JEEMA) Secretary General looking on as Nobert Mao, the justice minister interacts with Richard Todwong the chairperson of the Interparty Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) Secretary Generals (SGs). (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

NUP claimed that the ruling party had turned IPOD into a forum in which party principals meet for a "cup of tea followed by a photo opportunity", while serious discussions about the future of the country are denied an audience.

Despite the claims, IPOD chairman Todwong told a press conference on Tuesday that they are pressing on with their invitation and that they will continue to engage NUP and other parties to join them for a better and peaceful country.

He was speaking at the justice ministry offices in Kampala. Justice minister Norbert Mao, who is also the president-general of the Democratic Party (DP), was present.

After the expiry of the old MOU in December 2020, only the NRM, DP, JEEMA and PPP have appended their signatures to the new one.

“We have met with the six political parties that include DP, NRM, JEEMA, PPP, FDC, and UPC extensively, discussed, and agreed on the new MoU but FDC and UPC have declined to append their signatures on the new MoU,” said Todwong.

He added that when he inquired about the reluctance, FDC informed him that they were consulting their different stakeholders on whether to join or not.

UPC officials reportedly told IPOD they are willing to sign the new MoU but need clarification on the fate of unimplemented resolutions from the previous IPOD summit.