Parliament has officially passed the Political Parties and Organizations Amendment Bill, a law that brings important changes to how political parties and organizations receive public funding. This new amendment aims to set clear rules and conditions for government support, ensuring fairness and accountability across all registered political groups.
The bill, which was debated in Parliament, is designed to streamline the entire process of giving funds to political parties. In the past, there were complaints that the system was unclear and sometimes unfair, with some parties getting more than others without a clear explanation. With this amendment, all political parties will now follow the same criteria to qualify for government money.
According to lawmakers, the new bill will help promote equal competition among political parties. It will also encourage smaller parties to grow and participate more actively in national politics since they will now have a better chance of receiving public support, as long as they meet the required conditions.
Supporters of the bill say it will strengthen democracy in the country by reducing the influence of private money in politics. When political parties rely less on private donors, they are more likely to focus on serving the people, not just their funders. This new law, therefore, is seen as a big step towards cleaner, more transparent politics.
Although some Members of Parliament had different views on how the funding should be shared, most agreed that clear rules are necessary. With this amendment now passed, it is expected that the Electoral Commission and other responsible bodies will soon begin implementing the new system.
In short, this new law brings fresh hope for political fairness in Uganda. It gives all political players—big or small—a more equal chance to compete, and helps ensure that public funds are used responsibly and transparently.
