“I Will Do Everything In My Capacity To Have Bobi Wine Join IPOD Talks” Norbert Mao Vows

Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has pledged to make every effort to persuade opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, to join the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD). Mao, who also heads the Democratic Party (DP), emphasized that dialogue remains the key to achieving lasting peace and political cooperation in Uganda.

In recent remarks, Mao expressed frustration over the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) continued absence from IPOD. While five political parties have committed to the dialogue platform under the revised legal framework, NUP has yet to participate.

“I’m troubled by NUP’s refusal to engage,” Mao said. “They argue that they don’t want to benefit from Museveni’s funds, but that’s a misrepresentation of what IPOD is intended to be.”

He dismissed claims that IPOD serves as a channel for distributing government money among political parties, stating instead that it was established as a serious forum where all registered parties can come together to engage in meaningful conversation and work toward national reconciliation.

“IPOD is not about financial gain,” Mao clarified. “It’s about building bridges through dialogue and helping Uganda move forward peacefully.”

Acknowledging NUP’s hesitation—particularly its distrust of the current administration and skepticism about the sincerity of the dialogue process—Mao maintained that open communication is far more constructive than silence or ongoing political conflict.

“I understand NUP’s concerns, and I respect their stance,” he noted. “But I won’t give up. I’ll keep reaching out because peace must take priority over politics.”

NUP has consistently criticized government-led dialogue efforts as lacking credibility and has avoided participating in platforms like IPOD. However, Mao warned that continued disengagement only deepens the country’s political divisions and hinders national healing.

“If we don’t talk, we risk tearing the nation further apart,” he cautioned. “Dialogue is the only path toward genuine unity.”

He concluded with a firm message: “Choosing dialogue is not a sign of weakness. It is the strongest step we can take toward peace and national cohesion.”