Museveni Urges Peaceful Dialogue Ahead of 2026 Elections

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has once again called on Uganda’s political actors to embrace peaceful dialogue and reject violence as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections.

Addressing leaders of six political parties during the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) Summit at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on September 18, 2025, President Museveni said Uganda’s progress depends on leaders correctly diagnosing societal challenges and applying peaceful solutions rather than resorting to subversion, violence, and divisive politics.

The summit, held under the theme “Together for a Peaceful and Sustainable Uganda,” brought together presidents and secretary generals of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Justice Forum (JEEMA), and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

In his keynote address, President Museveni, speaking in his dual capacity as NRM National Chairman and IPOD Summit Chair, urged opposition leaders to adopt peaceful methods of engagement, stressing that mistakes in governance can be corrected over time if the country remains stable.

“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,” Museveni said.

He argued that Africa’s biggest tragedy stems from both wrong diagnoses of societal problems and the use of violent methods.
“That is how chaos arises in many African countries. Even when you make mistakes, if there is peace, there is room for correction. But when you combine wrong ideas with violence, you get a total breakdown,” he added.

Reflecting on his long political career, Museveni reminded party leaders that he had been involved in politics for 65 years, beginning as a Democratic Party youth leader in 1960 before briefly joining UPC in 1970.

“Politics must be like medicine. A political leader should be like a doctor, able to correctly diagnose the problems of society. If the diagnosis and prescription are wrong, the patient dies. If leaders misdiagnose societal issues, their countries collapse,” he explained.

He reiterated the NRM’s four principles, patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy, saying these remain key to securing Uganda’s future.

On the recent teachers’ strike, which UPC President Jimmy Akena had raised during discussions, Museveni emphasized the need to prioritize limited national resources. He cited the case of Soroti Flying School, where pilots and engineers were prioritized over other staff to prevent collapse.

“In Soroti Flying School, we needed pilots and engineers most, but there wasn’t enough money to pay everyone well. The logic of saying ‘either we all get or nobody gets’ is not correct. We, freedom fighters, always prioritize. I advised them, and they agreed to pay the pilots well,” Museveni explained.

At the same ceremony, Museveni handed over the IPOD chairmanship to Democratic Party President General, Hon. Norbert Mao.
“Thank you for having trusted us, NRM, with the leadership for the last five years. I now peacefully hand over,” Museveni said.

NRM Secretary General and IPOD Council of Secretaries General Chair, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, applauded Museveni for sustaining IPOD after international donors withdrew funding.
“We were orphaned as IPOD when donors left, but as a father, you picked us up and nurtured IPOD. You have shown that homegrown solutions can address African challenges,” Todwong said.

In his acceptance speech, Mao emphasized consensus-building as the foundation of national unity and pledged to work toward a peaceful 2026 election.

“So today, on behalf of the DP, I take over the leadership of IPOD. I want to announce that we shall leave the door of IPOD open. Our agenda will be to ensure a peaceful election, a free and fair process, and honest dialogue about Uganda’s problems. We must attack the problems facing Uganda, not each other, for God and my country,” he said.

“We cannot have a country where there is no consensus about anything. We may disagree on some things, but we must find common ground. IPOD is about finding common ground because the unity of Uganda is paramount. I’m delighted that IPOD summit members are the 20% who want to offer at least 80% of the solution,” Mao added.

He commended Museveni for ordering the release of nearly 70 political detainees earlier this year following discussions between the DP and NRM.
“Sometimes small gestures like this are not appreciated, but they are significant steps towards reconciliation,” he said.

UPC President Jimmy Akena reaffirmed his party’s commitment to dialogue, describing it as essential for unity during the election season.
“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. Even in a tough election season, our goal is to emerge stronger and more united,” he said.

FDC President Patrick Oboi Amuriat underscored his party’s support for IPOD but warned that dialogue must be meaningful and result-oriented.
“Our country is fractured along tribal, religious, and political lines. We must emphasize reconciliation,” Amuriat said. He also urged Museveni to exercise clemency and pardon political prisoners, including those awaiting delayed justice.
“Progress requires leaving the past behind. Clemency will demonstrate goodwill and help this country move forward,” he added.

JEEMA President Asuman Basalirwa echoed similar sentiments, stressing that Uganda’s problems can only be addressed through dialogue and consensus.

PPP President Saddam Gayira highlighted the benefits of non-confrontational politics.
“In 30 years of politics, I have never been summoned by the police. Even in the last election, none of our members were arrested. Why? Because we preach peaceful engagement,” Gayira said, urging leaders to respect each other regardless of party differences.

Dr. Lawrence Sserwambala, IPOD’s Executive Director, acknowledged the platform’s milestones but cautioned that challenges such as electoral violence, weak enforcement of the code of conduct, and youth vulnerability remain pressing.
“Uganda’s youthful population, particularly in urban ghettos, is vulnerable to manipulation into violence. IPOD must nurture them as champions of peace,” he said.

He stressed that the 2026 elections present a critical opportunity to strengthen consensus, fairness, and inclusivity.
“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 noted.

The summit was attended by top leaders, including the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Among, Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, members of the NRM Central Executive Committee, and delegations from all IPOD member parties. Their presence symbolized broad-based support for dialogue as a tool for conflict resolution and democratic progress.