Kampala, Uganda: Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Hon Norbert Mao, has directed the Electoral Commission to withhold all disbursements of public funds to political parties until new statutory instruments under the amended Political Parties and Organisations Act are in place.
In a letter dated July 2, 2025, addressed to Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, Mao cited the recent Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Act, which restricts government funding to only those political parties that are members of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) and actively participate in its activities.
“Government shall only provide funds or other public resources to a political party… if the political party is a member of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue,” reads Section 2 of the amended law, which President Museveni assented to on June 15, 2025.
Mao emphasized that with the law now in force, the Electoral Commission has “no legal basis” to continue releasing funds to parties until new implementation frameworks are in place.
“I request you not to disburse any funds to political parties until you hear from me,” Mao wrote. He pledged to conclude stakeholder consultations and process the necessary statutory instruments within three weeks.
The directive follows Mao’s ongoing consultations with the IPOD Council and expectations that the IPOD Summit, chaired by President Museveni in his capacity as NRM party leader, will convene soon to chart a path toward institutionalizing IPOD as the primary dialogue platform for political parties represented in Parliament.
His move is likely to spark debate, particularly among non-IPOD member parties such as the National Unity Platform (NUP), which has previously rejected IPOD participation, arguing it is skewed in favor of the ruling NRM.
While critics see the new law as a veiled attempt to starve dissenting parties of resources, proponents argue it will encourage structured dialogue and accountability in party funding.
Mao’s letter is copied to the Attorney General, members of the IPOD Summit, all political parties represented in Parliament, and the Secretary to the Electoral Commission.
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