By Diana Kintu.
Leaders from six of Uganda’s major political parties have reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful dialogue as the nation prepares for the 2026 general elections. Meeting under the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), the parties pledged to prioritise discussion over confrontation in addressing national challenges.
President Yoweri Museveni, who addressed the summit, urged leaders to apply peaceful solutions when tackling political disagreements. “Even when you make mistakes, if there is peace, there is room for correction.
But when you combine wrong ideas with violence, you get a total breakdown,” he cautioned. He likened political leadership to medical practice, stressing that diagnosing a country’s problems correctly is key to its stability.
A highlight of the summit was the symbolic transition of IPOD’s leadership from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to the Democratic Party (DP). DP President, Hon. Norbert Mao, assumed the chairmanship, pledging to uphold inclusive dialogue and to work towards ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful 2026 election. He emphasised the importance of unity, noting that while parties may hold divergent views, finding common ground is crucial for national progress.
The discussions also addressed practical trust-building measures. Leaders welcomed the recent release of several political detainees as a positive step, urging more actions of goodwill to strengthen cooperation. Representatives from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and other parties echoed the call for dialogue, insisting that constructive engagement is the only sustainable path to a stronger and more inclusive political system.