Political party leaders in Uganda have gathered in Jinja City for a two-day engagement aimed at addressing post-election tensions, promoting national cohesion and strengthening inclusive governance following the 2026 General Elections.
The meeting, running from October 15 to 16, is organised by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) Uganda in partnership with the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) and the National Consultative Forum (NCF).
The engagement seeks to provide a platform for political leaders to examine how Uganda can manage its political, social and institutional diversity while promoting peaceful coexistence, reconciliation and democratic governance.
It comes amid continuing political divisions following the elections, with renewed calls for national healing, cooperation among political parties and stronger mechanisms for resolving political disputes.
NIMD Uganda Executive Director Primus Bahiiga said the meeting would enable political party leaders to reflect on the post-election environment and identify practical ways of addressing divisions along political, ethnic, religious, regional and socio-economic lines.
“The discussions will also focus on building consensus on issues of national importance and strengthening dialogue as a means of resolving political differences,” Bahiiga said at the opening of the retreat.
The engagement follows Uganda’s commemoration of 64 years of independence, with political reconciliation and national unity remaining prominent issues in the country’s governance debate.
Electoral disputes have also featured in discussions about the post-election environment. According to figures cited in the meeting’s background, 118 election petitions had been filed before the High Court by June 2026, including 107 challenging parliamentary election results and 11 relating to local government positions.
The petitions reflect legal challenges arising from the electoral process and underscore the importance of resolving election-related disputes through established legal mechanisms. They have also renewed attention on the role of dialogue, peaceful dispute resolution and strong democratic institutions in maintaining political stability.
The Jinja meeting is expected to give political party leaders an opportunity to examine these challenges and consider measures to rebuild trust, encourage cooperation and promote a more inclusive political environment.
One of the key areas of discussion is consociational democracy, a governance model that emphasises power-sharing, proportional representation and the protection of minority interests in societies characterised by significant political, ethnic, religious or cultural diversity.
Bahiiga said participants would examine the potential benefits and limitations of the model within Uganda’s political context, including whether elements of power-sharing and proportional representation could help address divisions and broaden participation in national governance.
The discussions are also expected to explore possible approaches to reconciliation and national healing, alongside practical mechanisms for strengthening cooperation among political parties.
By the end of the engagement, organisers expect participants to identify concrete measures for improving inter-party dialogue and cooperation.
The engagement forms part of NIMD’s broader efforts to promote constructive dialogue between duty bearers and rights holders.
The institute seeks to connect the concerns and demands of citizens and political parties with the institutions and systems responsible for governance and service delivery.
This approach recognises the role of dialogue among political actors, citizens and public institutions in strengthening accountability, improving governance and ensuring that diverse interests are considered in policymaking and national development.
The discussions will also be linked to Uganda’s Vision 2040 framework, which outlines the country’s long-term development aspirations.
Through the Jinja engagement, political leaders are expected to explore how stronger dialogue, inclusive governance and cooperation among political actors can contribute to national cohesion and democratic stability.
The meeting is expected to renew emphasis on dialogue as a means of managing political differences, strengthening democratic institutions and advancing a more inclusive approach to governance in Uganda.