In a major development that could reshape Uganda’s political landscape, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) to ensure equal distribution of funds among all political parties.
The announcement follows a meeting where representatives of opposition parties including JEEMA, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) urged IPOD chair President Museveni to distribute the funds equally, insisting that fair financing is essential for their parties’ growth.
President Museveni, the current IPOD chair, has urged the organization’s leadership to distribute resources equally among all member parties—a move that, if implemented, could foster a more inclusive and balanced political landscape by empowering smaller parties to compete more effectively.
Currently, the seven political parties represented in Parliament share UGX 35 billion in annual government funding, as disbursed by the Electoral Commission. The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) receives the largest portion due to its parliamentary majority, followed by the National Unity Platform (NUP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Democratic Party (DP), Justice Forum (JEEMA), and People’s Progressive Party (PPP), in accordance with their numerical strength in the House.
However, President Museveni has criticized the current funding model as unfair, arguing that it disadvantages parties with fewer parliamentary seats prompting his call for a more equitable distribution of resources.
This initiative could significantly promote fairness in Ugandan politics by providing equal funding to all parties, helping to shift the focus from financial power to ideas and policies.
The IPOD chair’s initiative will strengthen Uganda’s democratic process by fostering a wider diversity of political views and ideas. With increased support for all parties, voters will be empowered to choose candidates based on their interests and beliefs rather than on financial resources.
The initiative will also promote transparency in political funding, helping to reduce corruption and ensure that financial resources are allocated fairly and openly.
Museveni’s push for equitable funding will empower smaller parties like JEEMA to compete financially with larger parties, enabling them to engage more effectively in Uganda’s political arena and amplify diverse perspectives and voices.
President Museveni’s equity initiative represents a major step forward for Uganda’s political landscape. By fostering fairness and inclusivity in political funding, it has the potential to strengthen democracy and create a more balanced playing field where all parties can flourish.
