By The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has reiterated that it will not participate in future Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) summit meetings unless fundamental reforms are implemented to address human rights abuses and the country’s narrowing political space.
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Speaking at the party’s weekly press briefing, FDC spokesperson John Kikonyogo clarified the party’s position amid questions about its perceived boycott of IPOD activities. He stressed that FDC has never completely withdrawn from IPOD but opted out of specific engagements notably the summit due to unresolved concerns.
“We have never boycotted IPOD entirely. What we did was to raise concerns about the human rights situation and the shrinking political space,” Kikonyogo said. “Our position still stands. If abuses continue, we will not attend just to shake hands and drink tea.”
Kikonyogo explained that while FDC continues to participate in lower-level IPOD council meetings where meaningful dialogue takes place, the summit often attended by party leaders including President Yoweri Museveni in his capacity as NRM chairperson remains off-limits until their grievances are addressed.
He further decried the excessive focus on money and facilitation in IPOD discussions, warning that monetizing politics was undermining democratic participation and worsening political exclusion.
“The summit is not the entire IPOD. It’s like a board of directors meeting it can happen once in five years. What matters more are the regular council meetings where we deliberate real issues,” Kikonyogo noted.
He emphasized that IPOD should not be reduced to a personality-centered platform revolving around Museveni, arguing that all political parties big or small are equal under its framework.
“IPOD is about Uganda, not about President Museveni. He is just one of the summit members, representing his party,” he added.
FDC was one of the founding members of IPOD but has in recent years distanced itself from top-level engagements, accusing the ruling NRM of insincerity and using the platform for window-dressing rather than genuine reforms.
Kikonyogo said the FDC remains open to dialogue but demanded that the basic minimums including political freedoms, free and fair elections, and respect for opposition voices be met for full engagement to resume.
