The Parliament of Uganda is considering major reforms to the Political Parties and Organisations Act, aimed at promoting democratic principles, political dialogue and accountability among political parties.
This comes following the tabling of the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes changes to how public funds are accessed by parties represented in Parliament.
The Bill, first read on May 14, 2025 and subsequently referred to the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, seeks to restrict government funding to only those political parties that are committed to the principles of tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful co-existence.
“The current law allows political parties in Parliament to access public funds without any conditions attached, apart from financial accountability,” the committee observed in its report.
The committee added, “This amendment seeks to promote responsible political behavior and ensure that parties benefiting from public funds uphold democratic values.”
Under the proposed amendment to Section 14 of the Act, only political parties and organisations that are members of, and actively participate in, the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) will qualify to receive government funding.
“This is not an attempt to exclude or punish any party,” said Yusuf Mutembuli, the mover of the Bill. “Rather, it is a way to strengthen our democratic processes by encouraging political parties to engage in dialogue, promote tolerance, and avoid divisive politics.”
The Attorney General expressed strong support for the Bill, noting that the proposed changes are in line with Article 72(3) of the 1995 Constitution, which mandates Parliament to regulate the financing of political parties. He argued that the institutionalization of IPOD would operationalize this constitutional mandate while promoting unity and democratic integrity.
“Funding political parties should be conditional on adherence to principles of tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful co-existence,” the Committee emphasized in its findings. “This would promote stability, reduce political violence, and encourage responsible conduct.”
The Committee further noted that the current funding model fails to account for the behavioral standards of political parties.
“There is no law requiring parties to demonstrate their commitment to democratic norms before receiving funds,” the report stated. “This gap undermines the spirit of multiparty democracy.”
The committee also recommended a revision of the language used in the Bill, specifically the reference to the National Consultative Forum (NCF). While the Bill proposes to tie funding to membership in the NCF, the committee cautioned that the NCF includes all registered political parties, including those not represented in Parliament.
“This could inadvertently broaden the scope of the law to include parties that are not eligible for funding,” the committee warned. “We therefore recommend that the requirement be limited to parties participating in IPOD activities, which are more aligned with parliamentary representation.”
In an equally important reform, Clauses 2 and 3 of the Bill seek to institutionalize IPOD as an official organ under the National Consultative Forum. The Bill proposes a reorganization of the NCF into two distinct bodies: IPOD, for parties represented in Parliament and a separate forum for non-represented political parties.
“This structure allows parties with similar challenges to engage in constructive dialogue within their ranks,” said the mover. “It recognizes the distinct realities between represented and non-represented parties.”
The committee supported this approach, noting that it “will enhance internal communication, foster mutual understanding, and improve the capacity of parties to resolve conflicts without resorting to undemocratic means.”
IPOD, originally established in 2009 as a loose coalition of parliamentary political parties with support from the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), has played a vital role in mediating political tensions and fostering cooperation. Its formal institutionalization would give it a stronger mandate and clearer legal status.
“The institutionalization of IPOD within the law will ensure its sustainability and strengthen Uganda’s multiparty system,” the report stated.
The committee’s final recommendation was unequivocal: Government funding and access to public resources should be strictly reserved for political parties that are members of and active participants in IPOD.
“This will foster discipline among political actors and ensure that public funds are utilized by institutions committed to peace and democracy,” the committee concluded.
The Parliament is expected to deliberate on the committee’s report in the coming weeks. If passed, the Bill will mark a shift in how political engagement is incentivized and regulated in the country.
