NRM conference: African leaders praise Museveni’s leadership

KAMPALA - Several African leaders have praised Uganda President Yoweri Museveni’s leadership and expressed solidarity with his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, which has just concluded its national delegates conference. 

This was during the closing ceremony of the first meeting of the fourth NRM national conference at Kololo Independence Grounds in Uganda's capital Kampala on August 28, 2025.

The delegates were from across the continent: South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, the Sahrawi Republic, and South Africa.  

Kenya's UDA

Representing Kenya’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), secretary general Hassan Omar conveyed greetings from his country’s President William Ruto, underscoring the deepening bond between UDA and NRM.

“On behalf of His Excellency, Dr William Ruto, I congratulate you on your election as chairperson of the NRM and your nomination as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2026 election,” he told Museveni, who was among the over 23,000 delegates.

Omar hailed the NRM’s transformation from a resistance movement into one of Africa’s most visionary and ideologically grounded organizations.

He described Uganda under President Museveni as a beacon of political stability, economic resilience, and ideological consistency.

“Your Excellency, the UDA wishes you and the NRM victory in next year’s general election. I’m sure you will win it,” Omar assured, linking Uganda’s transformation to the dream of an eventual East African federation.

Rwanda's RPF

Speaking on behalf of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) delegation, led by secretary general Wellars Gasamagera, described the NRM and RPF as “brothers and sisters in struggle”.  

He noted that the two ruling parties are united by their common fight against oppression and commitment to Pan-Africanism.

“The bond between the RPF and the NRM is not merely political; it is historical and ideological. It has been forged in the fires of resistance against oppression and rooted in our shared vision for dignity, sovereignty, and emancipation of our peoples,” he said.

South Africa's ANC

The African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa was represented by deputy secretary general Nomvula Mokonyane, who used her speech to draw parallels between Uganda’s struggles and South Africa’s battle against neocolonialism and imperialism.

“Today, we celebrate the achievements of the NRM in consolidating your independence, your stability, as well as development in Uganda. We equally reaffirm that the ANC stands shoulder to shoulder with you in advancing the broader struggle for Africa,” she said.

She hailed President Museveni’s steadfastness in defending Uganda’s sovereignty as an inspiration for the ANC’s efforts to resist regime-change agendas and foreign manipulation.

“Our gathering here today affirms the timeless truth that African Unity is not a luxury, but a necessity in the challenges we face,” Mokonyane declared.

South Sudan's SPLM

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) of South Sudan, led by secretary general Paul Logale Jumi, the CNDD-FDD of Burundi, represented by secretary general, Benigne Rurahinda, and the Sahrawi Republic, also extended solidarity to NRM.

Each delegation reaffirmed its respect for NRM’s history, its leadership role in Africa’s liberation struggles, and its continued relevance as a Pan-African force for integration and peace.