Lawyer Nelson Havi has laughed off the recent move by the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to visit Uganda to benchmark with the neighboring country’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Taking to his official X account on Sunday, February 16, 2025, Havi stated that it does not beat the logic for UDA, which positions itself as a constitutional democracy, to benchmark in Uganda, which has always been viewed as a constitutional dictatorship.

Havi on UDA Uganda tour

The former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president further expressed his disappointment in the President William Ruto-led party’s decision to benchmark in Uganda.

“So UDA, the ruling party in Kenya, a constitutional democracy, went to benchmark in Uganda, a constitutional dictatorship. Logic has never been turned over its head like this before,” Havi stated.

So UDA, the ruling party in Kenya, a constitutional democracy, went to benchmark in Uganda, a constitutional dictatorship. Logic has never been turned over its head like this before.

— Nelson Havi (@NelsonHavi) February 16, 2025

Museveni has been in power with his NRM party since 1986 and has always been viewed as a dictator.

UDA’s Uganda tour

On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, a delegation from the UDA party traveled to meet with officials from Uganda’s ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

In an official statement, UDA disclosed that the team would be based in Kampala for an entire week, focusing on discussions of mutual interest.

“UDA Party Secretary General Sen. Hassan Omar is leading a high-level party delegation for a consultative meeting with Uganda’s ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM),” part of UDA’s statement read.

“The UDA team will engage their NRM counterparts in discussions of mutual interest to both parties and the friendly nations throughout their week in Kampala.”

During their stay in Uganda, UDA held discussions with the NRM party, including President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is the party leader.

Museveni pledged to support the UDA party in establishing a leadership institute during a high-level meeting with the party’s delegation at State House, Kampala.

In a statement posted on their X account on February 8, 2025, UDA announced that the meeting focused on strengthening ties between UDA and Uganda’s NRM.

“The UDA Party delegation visiting Uganda was hosted by President Yoweri Museveni, who emphasized the need for greater partnership between UDA and the National Resistance Movement (NRM),” UDA stated.

The UDA delegation was led by its National Chairperson Governor Cecily Mbarire and included key officials such as Secretary General Hassan Omar, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, and Party National Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi.

During the talks, Museveni also emphasized the importance of Pan-Africanism and the need for enhanced political cooperation among East African nations to ensure Africa’s prosperity.