The Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, has held talks with a delegation from Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front (FLN) ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s inauguration ceremony.
The meeting, held at the NRM headquarters in Kampala, focused on strengthening party-to-party cooperation, regional solidarity and expanding bilateral relations between Uganda and Algeria.
Speaking during the engagement, Todwong welcomed the delegation and thanked them for honouring the invitation to Uganda.
“It is our pleasure to have you here today. I would like to sincerely thank you for accepting our invitation and for joining us for this engagement,” Todwong said.
He noted that the NRM and FLN share similar liberation histories and revolutionary values rooted in patriotism, national transformation and the struggle for self-determination.
Todwong said Uganda experienced years of instability after independence in 1962 before the NRM took power in 1986 following a protracted liberation struggled.
“Since the NRM came to power in 1986, Uganda has steadily developed step by step to where we are today, with greater political and economic stability,” he said.
He also praised the FLN for its historical role in Algeria’s liberation struggle and longevity in leadership, saying Uganda could learn from Algeria’s experience in sustaining strong political institutions.
“Your party is also a historic movement. It was founded in 1964, shortly after Algeria attained independence in 1962, making the party almost as old as the nation itself,” Todwong noted.
The NRM Secretary General said the recent signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the two parties would deepen political engagement and strengthen collaboration in trade, education, investment and other sectors.
“There is a lot that Uganda and Algeria can share in trade, education, investment and other sectors. As our parties continue engaging with each other, these areas of cooperation will certainly expand,” he added.
The Algerian delegation was led by the Secretary General of the FLN, Prof. Abdelkrim Benmbarek, who described the relationship between the two parties as one founded on shared liberation struggles and patriotism.
“The National Liberation Front is the ruling party in Algeria and carries a proud revolutionary history. We congratulate the National Resistance Movement for its continued leadership and achievements in Uganda,” Prof. Benmbarek said.
He noted that Algeria’s fight against French colonialism mirrored Uganda’s struggle against forces that sought to undermine national identity and sovereignty.
“Our two parties are therefore connected by a common history of liberation struggle and patriotism,” he said.
Prof. Benmbarek welcomed the memorandum of understanding signed between the NRM and FLN, saying it would strengthen cooperation in political engagement, scientific research, education and economic development.
He also invited Todwong and the NRM leadership to visit Algeria and engage with the FLN leadership as part of efforts to strengthen ties between the two ruling parties.
“We are committed to strengthening this relationship and ensuring that the cooperation between our two parties benefits both our peoples and governments,” he said.
The FLN leader further revealed that Algeria will hold legislative and local government elections in 2026 but stressed that his party remained committed to deepening cooperation with Uganda.
Prof. Benmbarek said he felt at home in Uganda and described the visit as a reflection of the strong friendship between the two countries.
“I do not feel like a stranger. I feel as though I am among my own people,” he said.
The engagement comes as Uganda hosts several foreign delegations attending President Museveni’s inauguration, with the government continuing to strengthen political and diplomatic ties across Africa and beyond.
The meeting was also attended by Senior Party leaders from the Secretariat and the Electoral Commission.
