Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has pledged to do all he can to persuade National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, to join the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).
Speaking during a recent update, Mao, who also serves as President of the Democratic Party (DP), stressed that IPOD is not about sharing government money, as some believe, but about bringing together political parties to promote peace through dialogue.
“So far, five political parties have agreed to be part of IPOD under the new legal framework. But I’m still worried that NUP continues to stay away, claiming they don’t want to ‘eat Museveni’s money’. That’s not what IPOD is about,” Mao said.
He explained that IPOD’s main goal is to provide a peaceful platform where parties with different ideologies can meet, talk, and find common ground.
Mao added that he believes national unity and understanding between political players are key to building lasting peace in Uganda. He said he remains hopeful that NUP will reconsider its position and come to the table.
“I will personally reach out to Bobi Wine to ask him to reconsider. Dialogue is not a weakness — it’s strength. This country belongs to all of us, and we must sit down and talk, not fight,” Mao said.
It should be noted that NUP recently declined being part of IPOD anymore. This was after always being accused of chewing taxpayers money and turning around to criticize the government.
