NRM, CPC Reaffirm Longstanding Partnership as Todwong Welcomes New Chinese Ambassador

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) have reaffirmed their longstanding partnership, pledging to deepen party-to-party cooperation, ideological exchanges and the sharing of experiences in governance, leadership and socio-economic development.

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, who paid a courtesy visit to the NRM Secretariat as part of his tour of duty in Uganda.

Welcoming Ambassador Wu, Todwong described the relationship between the NRM and CPC as one built on a long history of solidarity, mutual respect and cooperation, stretching back to the struggles against colonialism and Uganda's engagements with China in the early years after independence.

Todwong said China's historical support to African countries during their struggles for liberation had contributed to the strong bonds that continue to exist between China and African political movements.

“We have a very strong bond, which stretches from a very long history that we share,” Todwong said.

He said the NRM remained committed to nurturing and deepening the relationship with the CPC, noting that the partnership had provided opportunities for Ugandan leaders and cadres to gain knowledge and experience from China's development journey.

Todwong conveyed greetings from NRM National Chairman and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, together with other party leaders, and said the party leadership was aware of and appreciated the ambassador's visit to the NRM headquarters.

Todwong Highlights Lessons from China

Todwong, who previously studied at Peking University under sponsorship from the CPC, said his experience in China enabled him to observe first-hand the country's development trajectory, governance practices and the role of the Communist Party in mobilising citizens around national development programmes.

He said the NRM had benefited considerably from its exchanges with the CPC, particularly in areas such as party organisation, leadership, cadreship, policy formulation, mobilisation 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.

According to the NRM Secretary General, continued interaction between the two parties had created an important platform through which Uganda could study China's development experience and identify lessons applicable to its own national circumstances.

He commended China's approach to development, particularly efforts aimed at ensuring that economic progress reaches communities and contributes to improvements in people's livelihoods.

Todwong said the NRM had also benefited from exchange programmes organised through the Chinese Embassy, including a recent CPC-sponsored programme that enabled approximately 25 NRM cadres to travel to China for further learning and exposure.

He described such programmes as valuable opportunities for party members to understand how the CPC approaches leadership, organisation and national development.

CPC Support to NRM Communication Systems

Todwong also expressed appreciation for the CPC's support to the NRM's media and digital communication systems.

He said the assistance had helped strengthen the party's capacity to communicate with its members and the wider public at a time when digital platforms have become increasingly important in political mobilisation and public engagement.

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

He emphasised that the relationship between the two parties was not merely about political exchanges but also about learning from each other's experiences and identifying areas where cooperation could contribute to stronger institutions and improved service to citizens.

Chinese Ambassador Describes NRM-CPC Ties as a Relationship Among Comrades

Responding, Ambassador Wu Guangrong described his meeting with the NRM leadership as an engagement between “friends, brothers and comrades-in-arms,” emphasising the long and deep relationship between the CPC and NRM.

The ambassador said political mutual trust between Uganda and China had continued to grow under the strategic guidance of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He said the strong political relationship had provided a foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Ambassador Wu also highlighted the CPC's experience in party building, particularly the importance of strengthening party leadership, promoting rigorous self-governance, encouraging self-reform and systematically developing party structures and cadres.

He said these principles were critical to maintaining party discipline, improving work ethics, fighting corruption and strengthening governance.

According to Wu, the CPC's emphasis on internal discipline and self-improvement had similarities with efforts by the NRM to strengthen accountability, combat corruption and improve the conduct of leaders and public officials.

He noted that the NRM's efforts to fight corruption, improve work style and engage communities to understand citizens' concerns resonated with priorities pursued by the CPC.

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

Focus on Governance and Development

The discussions placed significant emphasis on the role of political parties in driving national development.

Both sides recognised that effective governance requires political organisations to maintain strong structures, develop capable cadres and remain connected to the population.

For the NRM, the CPC experience offers an opportunity to study how a political party can organise itself around long-term national development objectives, while the Chinese side continues to engage Uganda through party-to-party exchanges and other cooperation programmes.

The two parties agreed to continue strengthening exchanges in leadership, governance, development, mobilisation and party organisation.

The partnership also provides a platform for NRM cadres to interact with their Chinese counterparts, study China's development experience and share Uganda's own political and governance experiences.

Awich Welcomes Ambassador Wu

The NRM Director of External Relations, Maj. Awich Pollar, welcomed Ambassador Wu Guangrong on his tour of duty as the new Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Uganda.

Awich thanked the Chinese Ambassador and the CPC for the longstanding cooperation between the two political organisations.

He also recognised the contribution of Ambassador Wu's predecessors, saying previous Chinese ambassadors had played an important role in 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,

NRM EC Commissioners Amb. James Williams Kinobe and Hon. James Tweheyo, among other officials.

Partnership to Continue

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the close relationship between the NRM and CPC.

For the NRM, the partnership remains an avenue for gaining insights into China's development experience, strengthening party organisation and exposing its cadres to different approaches to governance and mobilisation.

For the CPC, continued engagement with the NRM reinforces the broader political and diplomatic relationship between Uganda and China.

Todwong reiterated the NRM's appreciation for the CPC's continued support, describing the relationship as an important platform for mutual learning, solidarity and deeper understanding.

The renewed commitment comes as Uganda and China continue to expand their bilateral relationship, with political dialogue and party-to-party exchanges providing an additional channel through which the two countries can share experiences and strengthen cooperation.

The NRM and CPC have therefore signalled that their longstanding ties will continue to evolve, with greater emphasis on practical exchanges, leadership development, governance, development policy and strengthening relations between the two parties and their respective countries.