BEIJING, CHINA - The National Resistance Movement Secretary General, Rt Hon. Richard Todwong, has underscored the importance of reshaping Africa's development trajectory during his recent delegation visit to the Research Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing. Todwong's insightful remarks emphasized the need to break free from the shackles of history of colonialism and neo-liberalism and embrace the new paradigms for sustainable socio-economic transformation..
Todwong highlighted the detrimental impact of the slave trade and colonialism on the African continent and passionately articulated how these dark chapters in history not only depleted Africa's resources but also fragmented its unity, resulting in the hindrance of progress and development.
Shifting the focus to Uganda's journey, Todwong celebrated the transformative power of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) when it ascended to power in 1986. He underscored the four guiding principles that have been instrumental in Uganda's progress: patriotism, pan-Africanism, democracy, and socio-economic transformation.
"From 1986 onwards, Uganda has witnessed remarkable progress: life expectancy has increased, literacy rates have surged, GDP has grown, and infrastructure development has reached every corner of the country. This, in turn, has attracted investors from around the globe, including our Chinese friends," Todwong proudly stated.
Todwong urged a departure from divisive neo-liberal ideologies and instead advocated for values inspired by Xi Jinping's thoughts and writings. He emphasized that values like party spirit, party discipline, and the unwavering fight against corruption have become integral to Uganda's nation-building efforts.
In a poignant moment, Todwong extended heartfelt gratitude to the CPC for their friendship and invaluable knowledge-sharing. He commended China's rich history spanning over 5000 years of human civilization, highlighting the wealth of wisdom that can be gleaned from this profound heritage.
Huang Yibing, Vice President of the Research Institute, further delved into the discussion, shedding light on the historical failures of Western countries in their pursuit of modernization through colonialism and two world wars. He stressed the CPC's belief in the importance of practice over theory, emphasizing that practical solutions are the ultimate arbiters of success.
"In the quest for modernization, Western countries nearly brought the world to ruin, benefitting only a privileged few. The CPC has consistently championed the notion that practice is the most reliable judge of a theory," Mr. Huang declared.
Mr. Huang also emphasized the significance of a large population as a hallmark of a country's modernization. He noted that China's success in modernization will redefine global perceptions of this concept and stressed the importance of ensuring equitable benefits for all citizens.
Concluding his remarks, Mr Huang reiterated the pivotal role that political parties play in providing solutions that benefit the people. He emphasized that a sizable population brings abundant human resources, underscoring that China's successful modernization will reshape the world's understanding of this phenomenon.
The exchange of ideas and experiences between Uganda and China continues to be a beacon of hope for a brighter future, driven by innovation, cooperation, and shared prosperity.