President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on Uganda’s political leaders to embrace peaceful dialogue and reject violence as the country heads toward the 2026 general elections.
Speaking at the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) Summit held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on September 18, 2025, President Museveni said Uganda’s stability depends on leaders correctly diagnosing societal challenges and applying peaceful solutions rather than resorting to subversion and violence.
“As we have seen in the last 40 years, the NRM has revived Uganda’s economy. Although we still face challenges, we are much stronger than ever before. Even if one has a wrong understanding, as long as they are not violent, the country will remain stable, and in the future, mistakes can be corrected,” President Museveni said.
The summit, held under the theme “Together for a Peaceful and Sustainable Uganda,” brought together leaders of six political parties: NRM, DP, UPC, FDC, JEEMA, and PPP. Museveni, who chaired the summit in his capacity as IPOD Chair, handed over the leadership to Democratic Party President General, Hon. Norbert Mao, after five years at the helm.
“Thank you for having trusted us, NRM, for the last five years with the leadership. I now peacefully hand over,” Museveni said as he passed the mantle to Mao.
In his remarks, Mao pledged to keep IPOD an open platform for honest dialogue and consensus-building. “Our agenda will be to ensure that we have a peaceful election, a free and fair process, and that we shall continue to talk honestly about the problems we face, that we shall attack the problems that face Uganda, rather than attacking each other for God and my country,” Mao said.
He commended Museveni for earlier ordering the release of nearly 70 political detainees, describing the move as “a significant step towards reconciliation.”
UPC President Jimmy Akena reiterated his party’s commitment to dialogue, noting, “As Ugandans, we may not agree on every policy, but we must focus on the greater good. UPC will always choose dialogue to overcome difficulties.”
Forum for Democratic Change President Patrick Oboi Amuriat emphasized the need for meaningful dialogue that delivers results, urging the President to pardon political prisoners as a gesture of goodwill.
JEEMA President Asuman Basalirwa and PPP President Saddam Gayira both stressed that consensus and peaceful engagement are the only sustainable solutions to Uganda’s challenges.
IPOD Executive Director Dr. Lawrence Sserwambala praised the platform’s achievements but warned that electoral violence, weak enforcement of the code of conduct, and youth vulnerability remain urgent issues. “Uganda is watching us. History will judge us by the choices we make. Let us choose peace, let us dialogue, let us put Uganda first,” he said.
The summit was attended by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, senior NRM leaders, and delegations from all IPOD member parties, underscoring broad support for dialogue as a tool for national unity ahead of the 2026 elections.