A delegation from Kenya’s UDA began a six-day visit to Uganda on February 4, 2024, to strengthen ties with the NRM. The agenda includes meetings with President Museveni to discuss governance strategies and shared political goals. Despite internal controversy regarding political term extensions in Kenya, UDA prioritizes international diplomacy and regional cooperation.
On February 4, 2024, a delegation from Kenya’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) commenced a six-day official visit to Uganda. This visit aims to strengthen the political ties between Kenya and Uganda, particularly with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Uganda’s ruling party. The reception of the delegation at Entebbe Airport by Major Awich Pollar, NRM’s Director of External Affairs, reflects optimism about the potential benefits of this diplomatic engagement.
The UDA leaders’ agenda includes a meeting with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who will discuss the NRM’s historical achievements and guiding principles. Major Pollar emphasized the importance of cooperation within the East African Community, advocating for both parties to leverage their respective strengths to enhance governance. The shared vision of improving citizens’ lives and advocating for the political federation of East Africa is central to their discussions.
This meeting follows an earlier engagement in October 2024, where UDA representatives expressed commendation for NRM’s organizational structure. Joash Maangi remarked on the necessity for structured collaboration in light of Kenya’s fluctuating political landscape. UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan praised NRM as a model of leadership in African politics, fostering a spirit of camaraderie between the two parties.
However, UDA’s engagement with NRM has elicited controversy in Kenya, particularly with recent proposals regarding a potential extension of President William Ruto’s term. These discussions have met with mixed responses from various political figures and the public. Despite these internal tensions, UDA’s commitment to international diplomacy remains steadfast, as evidenced by their recent interactions with the Communist Party of China, highlighting a strategic approach to global political relations.
The visit by the UDA leaders to Uganda is part of an ongoing effort to enhance political collaboration between East African nations. The UDA, as Kenya’s governing party, seeks to learn from the experiences of the NRM, Uganda’s ruling party, which is known for its resilience and organization. Both parties share a common interest in improving governance and advocating for greater political unity in the region, which is essential for addressing common challenges facing East African countries.
The UDA’s six-day visit to Uganda underscores the burgeoning relationship between two significant ruling parties in East Africa. The discussions aim to foster political cooperation and learning from each other’s governance experiences, despite ongoing political controversies in Kenya. The commitment to building a cooperative framework reflects the shared vision of enhancing citizens’ lives across the region.
Original Source: www.mwakilishi.com
