The interparty organization for Dialogue (IPOD) has partnered with Hatchille Consults, the Research partner that conducts the Afrobarometer study in Uganda to release the state of democracy report in Uganda. The event that was held at Hotel Africana on November 14, 2023 brought together the various Democracy, Rights and Governance actors as well as other state and non state agencies. A critical and concerning finding from the study is the fact that the state of democracy in Uganda has remarkably declined by a massive 7 percentage points in 2022 compared to what it was in 2016. Other findings also indicated that there is a growing appreciation of multipartyism among Ugandans, currently standing at 84% although this was attributed to as a leading cause of conflict in the country.
The Executive Director of IPOD, Dr. Lawrence Sserwambala Kabagabe, who was one of the panel discussants emphasized the need for dialogue amongst leaders of political parties as one of the tested ways of dealing with conflicts and consensus building. He cautioned that unless this is embraced, there are pointers to a more violent electoral process of 2026 than was the case in 2021.
IPOD calls for a joint fight against political radicalization
The interparty organization for Dialogue (IPOD) has advocated and called on Ugandans to embrace political moderation and shun radicalisation. In an article published in one of the local dailies, the Executive Director of IPOD Dr. Lawrence Sserwambala Kabagabe says that the biggest and imminent threat to Uganda’s multiparty democracy is the ever growing trend of radicalization among supporters of some political parties.
For more details, see link below:
https://www.newvision.co.ug/articledetails/NV_187958
18 years of multiparty democracy. Does Western democracy work in Uganda?
To read more, please click on the link below:
https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/18-years-of-multiparty-democracy-does-western-democracy-work-for-uganda/ar-AA1lcMho
Proportional representation – IPOD’s solution to Uganda’s electoral woes.
To read more, please click on the link below:
https://www.bukedde.co.ug/education/NV_185449/proportional-representation-ipods-solution-to
IPOD ED meets with Head of Austrian Embassy in Uganda.
The Executive Director of IPOD Dr. Lawrence Sserwambala Kabagabe met with the Head of Austrian Embassy Dr. Katja Kerschbaumer to discuss the potential partnership between the two organizations.
The ED IPOD thanked the Austrian Embassy Development Cooperation for the work they do in Uganda especially around Democracy and WASH encouraged them to continue with the good work done.
Dr. Katja urged IPOD to continue with their dialogue work as it is one of the best ways of ensuring that misunderstandings are resolved in a non-confrontational manner while maintaining peace in the country.
She pledged Austria’s support to IPOD whenever it is possible,
IPOD Council meets with Electoral Commission ahead of general elections in 2026.
The IPOD Council of Secretaries General on July 18, 2024 met with the Uganda Electoral Commission team to discuss the interaction of political parties with the newly issued electoral road map ahead of the 2026 general elections. The Commission team that comprised all commissioners was led by the chairperson His Lordship Justice Simon Byabakama while the Secretaries General were led by Hon. Mohamed Kateregga of Justice Forum who stood in for the Council chairperson, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong. Also in attendance were Hon. Siranda Gerald Blacks, Secretary General DP, Hon. Gloria Paga, the Deputy Secretary General of FDC, Hon. David Alira, Secretary General of PPP and Hon. Fred Ebil, the Secretary General of UPC. Also in attendance was the Executive Director of IPOD Dr. Lawrence Sserwambala Kabagabe.
A number of issues were raised during the meeting including the contention on the public funding available to political parties during the election year as provided for under Section 14A(b) of the Political Parties and Organizations Act (2019) as amended among other issues.
