What I meant is, that the XML doesn't bear any python code, just UI definitions. But perhaps I could import a module which in turn loads the UI file directly, to keep it clean.

That is what pyuic5, the way I'm recommending, does! You run pyuic5 on your .ui file (during developemnt) and it creates a .py file of Python code implementing all of the UI in a Python class, ready for you to use via import, as per e.g. the first example on that linked page. That is the approach most people take from C++.

I did mean the instance, but I didn't realize all the details and consequences. I think you're right and put that way, it really makes sense.

...pyuic5-generate-class vs loadUI() are alternatives.

Oh, I see, I mixed the two together. I meant actually only loading/importing the resulting python UI class.

What's wrong with, say, the very first example approach at https://www.riverbankcomputing.com/static/Docs/PyQt5/designer.html ?

What I meant is, that the XML doesn't bear any python code, just UI definitions. But perhaps I could import a module which in turn loads the UI file directly, to keep it clean.

I apologize for my confused questions and thank you very much for helping me. You explained it very well. I'll read the relevant documentation again and test all sugested scenarios.

VB will cleanly dispose the loaded module.

But it doesn't "dispose the loaded module", at least not the VB code you show. It disposes the instance you create (Dim frm as New MyForm), not the code/module itself. Python will release the instance when you no longer retain any references to it, as with all things Python.

I still don't see why on the one hand you say "Generate python UI class", i.e. using pyuic5, and then still you are using pyuic5.loadUI(). I refer you again to https://stackoverflow.com/questions/52471705/why-in-pyqt5-should-i-use-pyuic5-and-not-uic-loaduimy-ui. pyuic5-generate-class vs loadUI() are alternatives. What's wrong with, say, the very first example approach at https://www.riverbankcomputing.com/static/Docs/PyQt5/designer.html ?

At this point I suggest you create some minimal code for what you want to do, and see how that goes.

I'll have to study pyuic5 and loading, no doubt. I'll start with roughly this scenario:

1. Define sample UI file for a module
2. Generate python UI class
3. Add working code into that python UI class, such as loading data from database upon selection and button click or drawing into canvas, etc.
4. Define self.dw1 = QDockWidget
5. pyuic5.loadUI(myUIclass.py, self.dw1) - I'm not sure if the syntaxe is right, but I will try to load the UI into the QDockWidget
6. Test if code in module is working
7. Close the module (i.e. by close button of the QDockWidget and see if RAM doesn't bloat, when the module(s) are opened and closed many times and/or use debugger to monitor the status

I'd be pleased if you could confirm if those steps sound roughly correct.

and I don't think it's possible/meant to be bundled with working code

No idea what you mean here. The loadUI() route is perfectly acceptable for "working" code, if you want to supply the .ui file at run-time and load it dynamically.

With pyuic5 you do not supply the .ui file at run-time, but instead you have generated a .py code file off it and you supply that instead.

There isn't any "unloading", just closing. But there isn't any "unloading" in that sense in the VB code you show either. You asked for

Dim frm as New MyForm and frm.Show() and closed with Me.Close()

and that's what either way would do, with the pyuic5 route being closer as it allows the new class as in Dim frm as New MyForm.

There are things you can do in Python not available in C++ to "remove" code/classes at runtime. But I think you are getting hung up on this. Why do you keep talking about "how do I unload the module?" when there is no need to try to do this? Just create your widgets, show & close them. Let your Python references to forms go our of scope, or Nothing them, and maybe consider using Qt::WA_DeleteOnClose (https://doc.qt.io/qt-5/qt.html#WidgetAttribute-enum) on, say, your forms/dialogs to ensure they get deleted at the Qt side.

In the first case, pyuic5 is interesting. It converts XML into a python class with Qt definitions. In theory, it would load any proper python UI class, regardless if it's made by user or QtDesigner.
So I could imagine a way to make the module this way. But I am lost as for:

The resulting instance can be shown & closed in the same way as the VB.

I'm sorry, perhaps I ask for something very obvious, but could you please point me at the right direction - how do I unload the module? I couldn't find anything about it pyuic5 and unloading.

You can uic.loadUi() if you want to go down the dynamic route. I prefer the the pyuic5 route of getting a class. The resulting instance can be shown & closed in the same way as the VB.

I don't quite what you mean about namespace etc. stuff. There is no clashing of variable/class names.

Unless there is something unsatisfactory with these routes I don't see what further you would want to achieve.