The Secretary General of Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Richard Todwong, has called on revolutionary political parties across Africa to remain vigilant and defend African values and sovereignty amid what he described as growing ideological and economic pressures on the continent.
Todwong made the remarks while hosting a delegation from Zimbabwe’s ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) at the NRM headquarters in Kampala.
Welcoming the delegation which had come for the inauguration of President Museveni, Todwong said Uganda and Zimbabwe share a long liberation history rooted in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid in Africa.
“We share a long history with Zimbabwe and other revolutionary movements across Africa,” he said. “Our parties are united by common ideals and a shared liberation history.”
Todwong said President Museveni frequently reflects on the contribution of frontline states, including Zimbabwe, in supporting liberation struggles across southern Africa.
“From Mozambique to South Africa and Zimbabwe, revolutionary movements sacrificed greatly for the freedom of Africa,” he said.
He warned that the challenges facing revolutionary parties had evolved beyond military and political confrontation to include media influence, economic pressure, sanctions and ideological battles.
“The struggle has moved from open confrontation to boardrooms, to the media and now through different organised groups,” Todwong said. “Revolutionary parties must understand these changing dynamics and remain vigilant in defending African values and sovereignty.”
He added that African political movements should remain focused on socio-economic transformation and improving the livelihoods of citizens rather than being distracted by external pressures.
Todwong also highlighted the NRM’s organisational structures, including leagues for women, youth, veterans and historical members, saying there was much the two parties could continue sharing through cooperation.
Leading the Zimbabwean delegation, Abedinico Ncube, ZANU-PF Deputy Secretary for External Relations, praised the NRM for what he described as consolidating the gains of Uganda’s revolution.
Ncube conveyed greetings from Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the leadership of ZANU-PF.
“We have come here not merely as visitors, but as ideological brothers bound together by a shared history of liberation and a common vision for the prosperity and sovereignty of our nations,” Ncube said.
He said Zimbabwe and Uganda shared deep historical and cultural ties rooted in Pan-Africanism, self-determination and the defence of African sovereignty.
Ncube proposed the establishment of a formal cooperation framework between ZANU-PF and the NRM through the signing of a memorandum of cooperation.
According to Ncube, the proposed framework would focus on ideological exchange, political education, cadre development, economic diplomacy and coordination in defending African positions at regional and international forums.
“We are ready to immediately begin technical-level discussions to develop this framework,” he said, adding that the cooperation would open a new chapter in relations between Uganda and Zimbabwe.
