Officials from the National Unity Platform (NUP) are reportedly facing a dilemma over the party’s participation in the upcoming Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) summit, amid discussions about the conditions attached to accessing party funding.
According to reports, the planned admission of NUP into IPOD and the possibility of benefiting from about Shs5 billion in party funding have faced challenges after IPOD reportedly requested that NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, personally attend the fourth summit.
The party, however, is said to be considering sending its Acting President John Baptist Nambeshe instead, citing concerns surrounding Kyagulanyi’s continued absence from the country.
Political analyst Dr Lawrence Sserwambala reportedly argued that Kyagulanyi’s physical presence would be important because he is the elected leader of NUP.
“It must be Kyagulanyi in person because he is the elected leader. This is what the summit members agreed on. Nothing can change unless the summit changes this,” Sserwambala said.
Reports indicate that some NUP officials are exploring alternatives, including having Kyagulanyi address summit participants through an online platform such as Zoom if he is unable to attend physically.
The party has maintained that Kyagulanyi’s absence from Uganda is linked to security concerns and that he will return when conditions are favourable.
Kyagulanyi left the country after the January 2026 general elections and has remained abroad, with NUP leaders continuing to raise concerns about his safety.
The IPOD summit brings together leaders from different political parties to discuss issues affecting Uganda’s political environment and promote dialogue among political actors.
The ongoing disagreement over attendance has created uncertainty about NUP’s participation and whether the party will meet the requirements set for joining the dialogue platform and accessing related benefits.
Meanwhile, discussions between NUP officials and IPOD representatives are expected to continue as both sides seek a way forward ahead of the summit.
