KAMPALA — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) have reaffirmed their longstanding relationship, with both sides highlighting party-to-party cooperation, ideological exchange, and shared experiences in governance and development.
The NRM Secretary General, Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong made the remarks while welcoming Chinese Ambassador to Uganda His Excellency Wu Guangrong to the NRM Secretariat, describing the relationship between the two parties as one rooted in a long history of solidarity and cooperation.
Todwong said China had stood with African countries during their struggles against colonialism and supported Uganda in its international engagements in the early 1970s.
“We have a very strong bond, which stretches from a very long history that we share,” Todwong said, adding that the NRM was committed to continuing to nurture and deepen the relationship with the CPC.
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 sponsorship from the CPC, said his experience in China had given him an opportunity to observe the country’s development trajectory and governance model.
He said the NRM had benefited significantly from exchanges with the CPC, particularly in understanding 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 commended China’s development experience, saying Uganda could draw lessons from an approach that seeks to ensure that development benefits communities broadly.
Todwong said the NRM had benefited from exchange visits organised by the Chinese Embassy, including a recent programme in which about 25 NRM cadres travelled to China under CPC sponsorship.
He also expressed appreciation for the CPC’s support to the NRM’s media and digital systems, saying the assistance had contributed to strengthening the party’s communication capacity.
“We are extremely grateful for the friendly, cordial relationship that we have,” he said.
For his part, Ambassador Wu Guangrong described the meeting with the NRM leadership as one between “friends, brothers and comrades-in-arms,” citing the long and deep relationship between the NRM and CPC.
H.E Wu said political mutual trust between Uganda and China had continued to deepen under the strategic guidance of President Museveni and Chinese President Xi Jinping, resulting in fruitful bilateral cooperation.
The ambassador also highlighted the CPC’s approach to party building, particularly strengthening party leadership, enforcing rigorous self-governance, promoting self-reform and systematically developing party structures and cadres.
He said these principles were important in maintaining party discipline, fighting corruption, improving work ethics and strengthening governance.
Wu noted that the NRM’s efforts to combat corruption, improve work style and engage communities to understand citizens’ concerns resonated with the CPC’s priorities.
“Indeed, whether in Africa or in China, good governance relies on a strong party and sound work conduct,” Wu said.
The two sides pledged to continue strengthening party-to-party exchanges and learning from each other’s experiences in leadership, governance, development and mobilisation.
Todwong concluded by reaffirming the NRM’s appreciation for the CPC’s continued support and cooperation, saying the relationship remained an important avenue for mutual learning and deeper understanding between Uganda and China.
The NRM Director of External Relations, Maj. Awich Pollar welcomed H.E Guangrong on his tour of duty as the new Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Uganda.
He also thanked his predecessors for the significant role played in enhancing the bilateral cooperation and fraternal relationship between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The meeting was attended by Hon. Jachan Omach, NRM EC Deputy Chairperson, EC Commissioners Amb. James Williams Kinobe, and Hon James Tweheyo.