Over the weekend, Ugandans in the diaspora gathered at the Cape Town International Conference Center in South Africa to celebrate President Museveni’s victory in the 2026 General Elections.
The event drew Ugandans from across South Africa and other countries, reinforcing the diaspora’s strong connection to Uganda’s political and socio-economic developments.
President Museveni’s message, delivered by Richard Todwong, Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), encouraged Ugandans in the diaspora to embrace the party’s principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, and socio-economic transformation.
“In addition to the many good things we are doing, our manifesto this time focuses more on improving household incomes and reaching out to all economically challenged groups such as the youth, women, the urban poor, and the diaspora,” the message read.
He also highlighted Uganda’s consistent economic growth of 6–8 percent annually, noting that “this growth should benefit the bottom poor in order to realize the dreams of the NRM revolution.”
President Museveni further thanked NRM South African leaders, led by Phillip Kakuru, who served as the chief mobilizer and convener of the event, and pledged continued government support through various initiatives.
Richard Todwong appealed to the Uganda Embassy in South Africa and diaspora leadership to resolve internal leadership contradictions within the branch.
Uganda’s Ambassador to South Africa, Paul Amoru, used the event to recognize the dedication of the NRM Secretariat, supported by directors such as Major (Rtd) Pollar Awich and Party Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi.
“We also thank our leaders in the CEC, Senior Presidential Advisors, and PACEID for your goodwill and continued support. Your ongoing guidance, mobilisation efforts, and engagement platforms have kept the diaspora firmly connected to the motherland. To every leader who travelled from Kampala and across the region to join us here today: thank you. Your presence is a living symbol of shared purpose and unbreakable unity,” he said.
He further noted that in the four years he has served as Uganda’s Ambassador to South Africa since August 2022, the High Commission has delivered a series of landmark achievements that directly empower the diaspora and advance Uganda’s interests.
Engineer Jonard Asiimwe, NRM Central Executive Committee member and Vice Chairperson for the Western Region, commended Ugandans in the diaspora for their direct involvement in the campaign process, noting that some went beyond identifying party candidates to actively participate in the exercise.
“I want you to co-exist both in South Africa as well as in Uganda. It is always better to plan our journey back to Uganda while still here so that when you reach home, things continue moving well or even better,” he said.
He pointed out that many Ugandans returning home often attempt to plan from Uganda, which can be challenging.
“If you left Uganda without a job, things have since changed. We are going to increase the number of industrial parks to 25, with each contributing about 60,000 jobs. This month and next month, we shall be commissioning more factories,” he added.
Jonard therefore called upon all those in the diaspora who wish to return and start ventures in Uganda to reach out for support and guidance.
PACEID Chairman Odrek Rwabwogo delivered his message via Zoom, thanking Ambassador Paul Amoru, Phillip Kakuru, and the organizing committee for the successful event.
Phillip Kakuru, Senior Presidential Advisor on Trade, assured delegates that President Museveni’s landslide victory of 71 percent in the recent election is a testament to the party’s popularity and encouraged all Ugandans to embrace the President’s message of economic transformation for the 2026–2031 period.