The inter-party organization on dialogue IPOD has kicked off on Wednesday morning at Munyonyo Resort Hotel in Kampala.
The summit was expected to be attended by five Party Presidents whose Political Parties are represented in the 10th Parliament of Uganda. However, Forum for Democratic Change, FDC party section and the party president’s seat remained empty after the party declined to attend.
President Yoweri Museveni is attending as the NRM Chairman. Democratic Party’s Norbert Mao, Hon. Jimmy Akena of Uganda Peoples’ Congress, UPC and Hon. Asuman Basalirwa of Justice Forum have attended to represent their parties.
The Inter-Party Organization on Dialogue was formed in 2009 and brings together all Political Parties that have elected members of Parliament.
There is prayer from the general public that by the end of the summit, there will be a common agenda of dialogue and that political parties will work together on the decisions taken today.
Frank Lusa, the IPOD Executive Secretary commended the Inter-religious Council for making this dialogue a success and wished that by 2019, parties will have committed to work for the common good of Uganda.
The appearance of all major Opposition Parties at the event could leave FDC -the leading opposition Party represented with 36 Members in Parliament isolated and its disciplinarian position subject to public criticism especially among the moderators and the people of Uganda.