Todwong, Chinese Ambassador Pledge NRM-CPC Partnership on Governance, Development

KAMPALA — Uganda’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) have reaffirmed their longstanding party-to-party relationship, pledging to deepen cooperation in governance, leadership, ideological exchange, development and cadre training.

The commitment was made during a meeting between NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong and the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Wu Guangrong, at the NRM Secretariat in Kampala.

Todwong welcomed Ambassador Wu and described the relationship between the NRM and CPC as one built on a long history of solidarity, political cooperation and shared experiences.

“We have a very strong bond, which stretches from a very long history that we share,” Todwong said, noting that China had supported African countries during their struggles against colonialism and stood with Uganda in its international engagements.

He conveyed greetings from NRM National Chairman and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and other party leaders, saying the leadership was aware of the ambassador’s visit to the party headquarters.

Todwong, who previously studied at Peking University under CPC sponsorship, said his experience in China provided him with an opportunity to observe the country’s development trajectory and governance approach.

He said the NRM had gained valuable lessons from its exchanges with the CPC, particularly in party organisation, leadership, cadreship, policy development and poverty reduction.

“Every time we go, we learn a lot about development policies and how the Communist Party is part and parcel of the population,” Todwong said.

He also praised China’s development experience, saying Uganda could draw lessons from approaches aimed at ensuring that development reaches communities and benefits the wider population.

According to Todwong, the NRM has benefited from several exchange programmes organised by the Chinese Embassy, including a recent CPC-sponsored programme that took about 25 NRM cadres to China.

He further appreciated the CPC’s support towards strengthening the NRM’s media and digital systems, saying the assistance had enhanced the party’s communication capacity.

“We are extremely grateful for the friendly, cordial relationship that we have,” Todwong said.

Ambassador Wu Highlights Party Discipline

Ambassador Wu described his engagement with the NRM leadership as a meeting between “friends, brothers and comrades-in-arms,” underscoring the depth of relations between the two parties.

He said political mutual trust between Uganda and China had continued to deepen under the strategic guidance of President Museveni and Chinese President Xi Jinping, contributing to broader bilateral cooperation.

Wu highlighted the CPC’s experience in party building, including strengthening party leadership, enforcing rigorous self-governance, promoting self-reform and systematically developing party structures and cadres.

He said such principles were important in maintaining party discipline, fighting corruption, improving work ethics and strengthening governance.

The ambassador also noted similarities between the CPC’s priorities and efforts by the NRM to combat corruption, improve work style and engage communities to better understand citizens’ concerns.

“Indeed, whether in Africa or in China, good governance relies on a strong party and sound work conduct,” Wu said.

Commitment to Continued Exchange

The two sides pledged to maintain and expand party-to-party exchanges, with a focus on leadership, governance, development, political mobilisation and institutional strengthening.

NRM Director of External Relations Maj. Awich Pollar welcomed Ambassador Wu on his tour of duty as China’s new envoy to Uganda.

Awich also commended Chinese ambassadors who preceded Wu for their contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation and the fraternal relationship between the CPC and NRM.

The meeting was attended by NRM Electoral Commission Deputy Chairperson Hon. Jachan Omach, EC Commissioners Amb. James Williams Kinobe and Hon. James Tweheyo, among other officials.

The engagement comes against the backdrop of expanding Uganda-China relations, with party-to-party exchanges continuing to provide a platform for the two ruling parties to share experiences on governance, development and political organisation.

Todwong reaffirmed the NRM’s appreciation for the CPC’s continued support, describing the relationship as an important avenue for mutual learning and deeper understanding between Uganda and China.