President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, also known as Tibuhaburwa and Ssabalwanyi Ssemalungu, has been officially nominated by the Electoral Commission to run for the presidency in the upcoming general elections. He is seeking a seventh term after leading Uganda since 1986, following his rise to power through a guerilla war.
His campaign, under the theme “Protecting the Gains”, highlights the achievements and stability he claims to have brought to the country over the past forty years. Despite his long tenure, Museveni is demonstrating a willingness to step back and allow other leaders to take important roles in Uganda’s political dialogue.
In a notable move, Museveni peacefully handed over the leadership of the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) to Democratic Party (DP) President General Norbert Mao. The handover took place at Kololo, Kampala, in front of leaders from multiple political parties. Museveni had chaired IPOD for the past five years, overseeing a forum that brings together all political parties with parliamentary representation.
Speaking at the IPOD Summit, President Museveni compared politics to medicine. “A political leader should be like a doctor. If he makes a wrong diagnosis and a wrong prescription, the patients will not get cured. They may even die,” Museveni said. “When you have the right understanding and act right, the country will be peaceful. But if you are wrong and violent, that is how you get chaos.”
Museveni expressed gratitude to IPOD members for trusting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) with leadership over the past five years. “I want to thank the IPOD for having trusted us NRM for the last five years with the leadership. I now peacefully hand over to Mao,” he declared, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and inclusivity in Uganda’s political process.
The summit, held under the theme “Together for a Peaceful and Sustainable Uganda”, attracted leaders from other political parties, including Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuria and Nathan Nandala Mafabi of FDC, Jimmy Akena of UPC, and Asuman Basalirwa of JEEMA. IPOD Executive Secretary Dr. Lawrence Sserwambala highlighted the gathering as a sign of Uganda’s shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and sustainable democratic governance.
Norbert Mao, who had previously submitted nomination forms to run for president, has since withdrawn from the race. Instead, he expressed his support for Museveni, promising to convene a DP executive meeting to formally align the entire party behind the incumbent president. “As a party, we will discuss that, but if you ask me as Norbert Mao, I would back President Museveni,” Mao said, showing loyalty to his colleague and former mentor.
This handover symbolizes a rare moment of unity in Uganda’s political landscape. By peacefully transferring the IPOD leadership, Museveni is signaling a willingness to share responsibility and ensure that other political voices are heard, even while he campaigns for another term.
Observers say this move could strengthen the credibility of IPOD as a platform for political dialogue and collaboration, helping to maintain peace and stability in Uganda. It also positions Norbert Mao as a prominent figure in the country’s political discourse while balancing his loyalty to Museveni.
The IPOD Summit and the leadership handover underscore the value of dialogue over conflict, and the importance of experienced leaders mentoring the next generation. As Uganda heads into another election period, these moments of peaceful transition within political organizations could serve as a model for a more cooperative and inclusive political culture.
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