KAMPALA – The 2nd IPOD summit that sat on Monday, May 20, among others, adopted a recommendation to increase funding for political parties from the current UGX 10bn to UGX 35bn in a Financial Year.
The Interparty Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), which is a grouping of political parties with representation in Parliament, also recommended that all Parties in Parliament get an equal share for running offices; 15% for IPOD Secretariat and the remaining be shared on numeric strength.
“Public funding to political parties in the opposition be distributed according to numbers as opposed to the current status. The amount going to the Leader of Opposition be allocated 40% equally and 60% committed basing on numeric strength,” reads in part the IPOD communique.
The Summit also agreed that the amount going to the Leader of Opposition be allocated 40% equally and 60% committed basing on numeric strength.
On the Public Order Management Act (POMA), the Summit also agreed that the proposed regulations be studied by the National Security Council, which will give feedback to IPOD in two months.
The Summit also agreed that the Prime Minister consults with IPOD on finalization of the code of conduct for Political Actors currently under the AG’s office.
“The IPOD Council to come up with a framework of engagements with other stakeholders including the security agencies,” the communique adds.
On the role of independent political actors, it was agreed that individuals must resign from a political party 12 months prior to general elections and that once elections are lost in the party primaries, such an individual shall not take part in the general elections.
On Electoral Reforms, it was agreed that candidates sponsored by parties shall not be required to collect signatures from electoral areas. it was also agreed that a review of nomination fees be made for affordable and inclusive participation.
Newly created Constituencies or administrative units shall only hold elections in a specified period between May and July or in the next election cycle. Election petitions at Parliamentary level are handled conclusively within a year after elections to avoid unnecessary delays.
It was also agreed that IPOD be taken through the necessary processes of formal legal recognition including registration.
