NUP Left Out as Gov’t Disburses Shs45b to Political Parties
Key opposition parties like the National Unity Platform (NUP), People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), and the Democratic Alliance (DA) will miss out, as they are not IPOD members.
The government is set to disburse Shs7.5 billion to each of the six political parties represented in Parliament and affiliated to the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), in a bid to support political mobilisation and party growth ahead of the 2026 elections.
The decision follows a high-level meeting chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, during which party secretaries general agreed to share the Shs45 billion annual budget equally. The funds will be released by the Electoral Commission (EC) in quarterly instalments, with the first Shs11.25 billion expected this week.
The move marks a shift from previous years when funds were allocated based on the number of MPs per party. Critics, however, argue that the new formula—restricting funding to IPOD members only—is politically motivated and designed to marginalise dissenting parties.
Key opposition parties like the National Unity Platform (NUP), People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), and the Democratic Alliance (DA) will miss out, as they are not IPOD members.
NUP, Uganda’s largest opposition party, has criticised IPOD as ineffective and pro-government, and has launched a nationwide fundraising drive to raise Shs10 billion for its 2026 campaigns.
Justice Minister Norbert Mao defended the move, citing a recent legal amendment requiring IPOD membership for access to public funds. However, opposition leaders, including Robert Kyagulanyi, Erias Lukwago, and Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu have condemned the decision as unconstitutional and undemocratic.
The Auditor General’s 2022/23 report revealed that Shs44.9 billion was previously disbursed to political parties, with the ruling NRM and NUP receiving the lion’s share. The new equal distribution, critics argue, favours smaller pro-government parties while sidelining significant opposition voices.
As Uganda prepares for the 2026 elections, concerns over fairness, transparency, and the independence of institutions remain central to the country’s political discourse.
