NAIROBI, Kenya – United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan has hosted his Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) counterpart, Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi, for a benchmark visit.
CCM is the ruling political party in Tanzania. It has been the dominant party for a long time and is built on principles of faith in humanity and equality.
Y News understands that the President Samia Suluhu-led party follows socialist and self-reliance policies.
“CCM has been in power in Tanzania for a long time and has successfully established strong grassroots-led movements and organisational structures. These are the models that UDA aims to emulate going forward,” reads a statement from the UDA party.
Hassan met Nchimbi during the courtesy call at his office, Hustler Plaza in Nairobi on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
“Talks between the two leaders focused on modalities of bolstering relations between the CCM and UDA Party for the benefit of the people of the two friendly and neighbouring countries,” the statement further reads.
Why President Museveni’s NRM party visited Kenya
In May 2025, Uganda’s ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) of President Yoweri Museveni, led a delegation to Nairobi, Kenya, in efforts to strengthen its relationship with UDA.
Y News knows that NRM is seeking to solidify its support ahead of the January 12, 2026, general election, in which the incumbent is likely to seek another term in office.
On the morning of Thursday, May 9, 2025, NRM party secretary general Richard Todwong held talks with Hassan Omar at the party headquarters.
In a statement, UDA indicated that the two secretaries general discussed issues of mutual interest between the two political outfits, including training of a batch of 100 members of the UDA Party to be undertaken at Uganda’s National Leadership Institute – Kyankwanzi in Jinja.
Todwong was flanked by NRM Director of External Affairs Major (Rtd) Awich Pollar Awich and National Leadership Institute’s Col. Okei Rukogota.
What is the similarity between UDA and NRM parties
When reached for comment, Kamukama Fredie, a member of NRM, told Y News that NRM engaging UDA is not ‘something new.’
“As members of the East Africa Community (EAC), this is something that we should be happy about since we are all brothers and sisters,” said Kamukama.
Kamukama, who is also a member of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), a political party affiliated with Uganda’s first son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, further indicated that NRM and UDA parties share some themes in their political outfits.
“For instance, UDA took some colours from NRM, like yellow. There was a time when President Museveni, while campaigning, used a bicycle (boda boda) as his party symbol, the same way UDA is using a wheelbarrow. And to add to it, even PLU also uses the yellow colours,” explained Kamukama.
Meanwhile, during CCM’s National Congress on January 19, 2025, held at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre in early 2025, President Suluhu named Dr. Nchimbi as her running mate for the 2025 general election scheduled for October.
How Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi is transforming the CCM Party
Dr. Nchimbi announced that the construction of the party’s new headquarters is expected to cost TSh34.13 billion (Sh1.6 billion) upon completion, with an initial TSh8 billion (Sh394 million) already secured.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Dodoma during a foundation stone-laying ceremony, Dr. Nchimbi stated that the funds were generated from legitimate income earned by CCM-owned companies through commercial ventures.
“I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise that these funds have come from CCM’s self-reliant companies – Holding and Trading. They contributed 100% of the initial capital. This is a great source of pride for CCM members,” said Dr. Nchimbi.
He added that beyond supporting the construction project, the companies have also made a significant contribution to the nation by paying more than TSh25 billion (Sh1.2 billion) in taxes to the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) over the past two years.
During his visit to Nairobi, the CCM Secretary General was accompanied by the High Commissioner of Tanzania to Kenya, Dr. Bernard Yohana Kibesse.
