Besigye punches holes in IPOD Summit: Such a joke that Museveni chaired the meeting in sandals

Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye says Friday’s Inter Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) summit fell short of the basics, to the extent that President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni chaired the meeting in sandals.

On March 05, Museveni met Democratic Party (DP) and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) presidents Norbert Mao and Jimmy Alena, respectively, at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.

But Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Jeema parties boycotted the summit.

According to Besigye, a former FDC President, the summit didn’t even meet the basic coram requirement.

“The IPOD Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) requires all IPOD decisions to be by members’ CONSENSUS,” noted Besigye.

“I wonder what the effort at Kololo yesterday was about after 2 of the 5 members objecting to the meeting!”

Besigye now argues there can’t be any meaningful political dialogue without addressing concerns of aggrieved IPOD member political parties.

“If you break own ‘understanding,’ how can you hope to dialogue for a NEW or better understanding!” wondered the four-time presidential candidate.

“Certainly, this couldn’t be an IPOD Summit!”

He also suggested Museveni’s fashion spoke volumes.

“May be, that’s why Mr Museveni, who was supposed to be SUMMIT Chairperson turned up dressed casually in open sandals!”