Uganda to Host International Speakers' Conference on Peace and Security in Africa

Uganda will host a landmark international conference in mid-July 2025 bringing together at least 54 speakers of parliament from across Africa under the auspices of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

The conference, themed “Elevating the Role of Speakers in Fostering Peace and Security in Africa,” aims to address the rising challenges of insecurity that continue to hinder development across the continent.

The summit is co-organized by the Forum of Parliaments of the ICGLR (FP-ICGLR), the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Parliaments (COSPA), and will be held under the joint supervision of the speakers of Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda.

President Museveni and Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto are expected to attend as guest speakers, alongside several other African heads of state.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Geoffrey Ekanya, Uganda’s representative to the ICGLR and MP for Tororo North, emphasized the importance of the forum in integrating parliamentary leadership into continental peace processes.

“We expect a paper to be discussed, including and not limited to, the inclusion of all African speakers and presidents of legislatures in peace processes,” Ekanya told journalists.

He said Uganda’s hosting of the event will provide Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among with a platform to underscore the relevance of parliamentary leaders during conflict resolution and peace negotiations.

“The establishment of centres for peace and stability led by African legislative heads fosters collaboration and confidence among warring parties in Africa’s peace processes,” Ekanya said.

Ekanya stressed that resolutions from the Kampala summit will not be symbolic. He revealed that participating nations will be expected to introduce motions in their respective parliaments committing to peaceful dialogue as the primary mechanism for resolving conflicts.

“There will be motions in all African parliaments, which will see them commit to resolving all conflicts through peace dialogue that involves all African people,” he noted.

This year’s conference marks the first time African heads of state will formally commit to working directly with speakers and presidents of national legislatures on matters of peace and security.

The move is also expected to bolster existing efforts by the African Union, SADC, and other continental bodies promoting peace and integration.