The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Burundi’s governing National Council for the Defense of Democracy–Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) have agreed to deepen bilateral party relations through enhanced cooperation among their youth, women and veterans’ leagues, in a move aimed at strengthening regional solidarity and political collaboration.
The commitment was announced on Wednesday during a meeting held at the party headquarters on Plot 10 Kyaddondo Road in Kampala between senior officials of the two ruling parties following Tuesday’s presidential swearing-in ceremony at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Leading the Burundian delegation was Reverien Ndikuriyo, Secretary General of the CNDD-FDD party, who attended President Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony. The delegation was welcomed by NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, who described the visit as a reflection of the enduring friendship and cooperation between Uganda and Burundi, as well as the growing unity among liberation and ruling parties in the East African region.
“As the National Resistance Movement, we are receiving our brothers and sisters from other parties to thank them for coming to Uganda and joining us in witnessing the swearing-in of the President,” Todwong said.
He emphasized that the engagement marked another important step toward strengthening political and institutional cooperation between the two parties.
Todwong also praised Burundi’s recent progress in governance, organization and national development, citing observations from his recent visit to the country.
“Burundi is a very beautiful country. I was extremely impressed with the level of organization, how Burundi is clean, and how the leadership is very clear in the direction the country is going,” he said.
He further extended best wishes to Burundi ahead of its forthcoming elections and reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to maintaining close relations with the CNDD-FDD leadership.
During the discussions, Ndikuriyo underscored the importance of creating structured platforms for interaction among the youth, women and veterans’ wings of both parties.
He noted that such exchanges would promote experience-sharing, solidarity and regional integration among future leaders and liberation movements across the region.
“The youth movement in Uganda and the one in Burundi should interact and meet. The women’s movement in Uganda and the one in Burundi should meet and interact, and the veterans as well,” Ndikuriyo said.
In response, Todwong announced that the NRM would immediately begin organizing exchange programs and engagements between the corresponding leagues of the two parties.
“The Women’s League of Uganda will interact with the Women’s League of Burundi. The same with the Youth League and the Veterans League,” he said.
According to officials, the planned exchanges are expected to include leadership forums, training programs, policy dialogue, mentorship initiatives and cross-border visits aimed at enhancing cooperation and institutional learning.
Todwong further revealed that the proposed engagements would form the foundation for a broader memorandum of understanding between the NRM and CNDD-FDD.
“We shall handle the three so that we start from there as we build up the memorandum of cooperation and work together as brothers and sisters,” he said.
The discussions come at a time when East African ruling parties are increasingly pursuing closer political and ideological collaboration, particularly around governance, regional integration, youth empowerment and post-liberation movement cooperation.