On Tuesday, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hon. John Mulimba, warmly welcomed dignitaries at the opening ceremony of the 12th High-Level Regional Oversight Mechanism (ROM) Summit 2025.
In his address, Minister Mulimba expressed heartfelt appreciation for the continued commitment of regional partners to the Peace, Security, and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the broader Great Lakes Region.
He acknowledged the ongoing security challenges in the region, particularly the resurgence of armed groups in eastern DRC that continue to endanger civilians and undermine regional stability.
Emphasizing the transboundary nature of these threats, he called for enhanced regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated responses.
Minister Mulimba also commended the efforts of the DRC government and urged sustained support for regional mechanisms, including the Joint EAC-SADC peace initiative.
“Uganda remains a proactive contributor to peace efforts through strengthened security operations, humanitarian aid, and dialogue facilitation,” he stated.
Reflecting on the 12-year journey since the PSC Framework’s inception, he called for renewed political will to address the root causes of conflict, promote inclusive governance, and ensure fair and transparent resource management.
The Minister concluded by reaffirming Uganda’s steadfast commitment to peace and called on all stakeholders to translate pledges into tangible progress for the people of the Great Lakes Region.
H.E. Huang Xia, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, thanked Uganda for hosting the summit and applauded its enduring dedication to regional peace. He emphasized the importance of strengthening efforts in conflict prevention, reconciliation, and development under the PSC Framework.
Reiterating the UN’s support for locally-led peace initiatives, he stressed the need to tackle root causes such as governance challenges, economic exclusion, and persistent insecurity. He urged signatory states to fully implement their commitments and champion sustained dialogue, cooperation, and inclusive participation.
H.E. Sghair Said, African Union High Representative for the Great Lakes Region, aligned his remarks with the AU’s Agenda 2063, emphasizing peace, unity, and sustainable development. He commended Uganda’s leadership and underscored the urgency of “silencing the guns” through inclusive, African-led peacebuilding.
“True peace must be anchored in justice and opportunity,” he said, calling for greater regional cooperation and concrete outcomes from the summit. He reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to supporting mechanisms that promote dialogue, security, and collective progress.
Ambassador João Samuel Caholo, Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), also expressed gratitude to Uganda for hosting the summit. He reaffirmed ICGLR’s dedication to fostering peace and stability in the region.
He highlighted the need for stronger coordination among member states, mutual respect for sovereignty, and inclusive engagement—especially involving youth and women in peacebuilding efforts.
Calling the summit a vital step toward deeper regional cooperation, Ambassador Caholo urged unity and sustained political will to realize the full potential of the PSC Framework.
Heads of State to Convene for Regional Discussions
On Wednesday, Uganda’s President, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will host several Heads of State and Government to further deliberate on regional peace and security, among other key issues.