Uganda’s NRM and Kenya’s UDA Push for East African Cooperation

(Kampala) – Uganda’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Kenya’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) held a meeting in Kampala to discuss enhancing political cooperation and supporting regional integration within the East African Community (EAC).

The NRM team, led by Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, hosted the Kenyan delegation, led by UDA Secretary General Hon. Hassan Omar Hassan, on Thursday at the NRM headquarters in Nakasero. Both groups explored how their collaboration could promote stability and unity in East Africa.

Todwong underscored the value of long-term leadership in achieving meaningful change, explaining that the NRM believes sustained governance is essential for effective social transformation. He emphasized that NRM’s close ties with the Ugandan public are a core aspect of the party’s approach, helping it address the changing needs of society through dedicated staff.

He further stressed that political parties play a critical role in advancing EAC integration and should work to unify the region. “Political parties should get involved in the integration of the East African Community; we are the whips of the governments,” he said.

Deputy Secretary General Rt. Hon. Namayanja Rose Nsereko reiterated the importance of Uganda’s relationship with Kenya, noting their historic ties. She highlighted that Kenya provided a refuge for Ugandans during times of instability, adding that this shared history should guide the countries as they advance the East African integration agenda. Namayanja reaffirmed NRM’s dedication to its core values of Pan-Africanism, democracy, socio-economic progress, and patriotism.

UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar praised the NRM’s longevity and its organizational strength, describing the meeting as an opportunity for UDA to learn from the NRM’s political structure. He noted UDA’s interest in building alliances with established political parties like NRM and stated that their goal is to institutionalize UDA to secure its future role in Kenya’s political landscape. Hassan added that UDA looks to NRM, along with other longstanding parties like ANC (South Africa) and CCM (Tanzania), as models for creating political stability.

The Kenyan delegation included Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Amb. Joash Maange, as well as UDA’s Deputy Executive Director Brian Mbugu, Legal Affairs Manager Ms. Annet Kipngetich, and EALA Members of Parliament Hon. Falhada Iman, Hon. Zipporah Kering, and Hon. David Ole Sankok.

NRM officials attending the meeting included Director for Youth and Institutions Maj. (Rtd) Okwir Rwabwoni, Director of Finance and Administration Hajat Madina Naham Ojale, Director of Information and Publicity Hon. Emmanuel Lumala Dombo, and EALA MP Hon. Akol Rose Okullu.