I can say without fear of contradiction that Richard Todwong is one of the most consequential Secretary Generals NRM has had. This is why:
1. He engendered harmony at the Secretariat.
When he took office in June 2021 from Lumumba, he found a Secretariat that needed retooling and cohesion. He captained a result-oriented team, restored operational efficiency and team spirit. He introduced a digitalised membership register and channeled resources directly to district accounts.
2. He saved the chaotic primaries from getting completely out of hand.
Let’s be honest. The 2025 NRM primaries were a hurricane. They could have been much worse with loss of multiple lives if it were not for the tenacious engagement by the SG. He personally crisscrossed the country, mediated, listened, enforced guidelines where others feared. Where there was going to be blood, there were meetings. Where there was going to be a split, there was arbitration.
3. He professionalized the Delegates Conferences.
Historically, our delegates conferences have been chaotic – accreditation fights, hungry delegates, confusion. Under Todwong, it changed. Delegates were very well accredited, fed and facilitated in unprecedented ways. Order replaced chaos. Ask the foreign delegates who attended – up to today they are still full of praises of the meticulous reception they were accorded.
4. He delivered the numbers.
In 2026, NRM secured 71.56% – its strongest performance under a Secretary General. That did not happen by accident. It was organisation, not rhetoric. The village-based mobilization was a masterpiece. He is an organiser, not a loudspeaker.
5. He enhanced our foreign relations with fraternal parties.
Under his stewardship, NRM’s relationship with fraternal parties in Africa and beyond was strengthened to unprecedented levels. Close to 20 political parties from Africa and outside Africa attended H.E’s swearing-in. That is quiet shuttle diplomacy paying off.
6. He is building the party – literally.
He has built party offices in districts and is still building more. District offices that were renting are now permanent. And soon, construction of the much-awaited NRM Headquarters will start. From rented rooms to owned homes.
7. He is ideologically deep and mentors young leaders.
Todwong is not just an administrator. He is ideologically deep. He has mentored many young people into leadership. You can’t work with him and remain the same – he builds people, not just structures. That is how parties survive beyond one generation.
That is why I call him consequential. He found inertia, he has introduced efficiency!
