As Africa continues to grapple with insecurity, unconstitutional power transitions, and protracted conflicts, the Parliament of Uganda is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the continent’s peace and security agenda. Uganda will host the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), a high-level summit scheduled for 19–20 July 2025 at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort in Kampala.
The summit aims to strengthen the role of parliaments in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and democratic governance across Africa. With legislative institutions increasingly recognized as key actors in shaping and sustaining peace, the Kampala gathering will offer a timely platform for African parliamentary leaders to deliberate on coordinated legislative responses to the continent’s most pressing security challenges.
Pre-Conference Diplomacy and Regional Engagement
In preparation for the Assembly, the Parliament of Uganda held a special diplomatic briefing on 3 July 2025 for African ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to Uganda. The event underscored Uganda’s commitment to parliamentary diplomacy and regional solidarity.
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, Tororo North County MP Geofrey Ekanya described the summit as “a crucial opportunity for African legislative leaders to come together and seek solutions to the myriad challenges affecting peace and security on the continent.”
The event builds upon recent initiatives by the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR), including a fact-finding mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Speaker Among and her Zambian counterpart, Nelly Mutti, participated in the mission, which sought to understand and respond to the ongoing instability in the region.
“To further enrich their understanding of the conflict,” Among noted, “the team met H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda, who shared with them the historical perspective of the conflict and possible opportunities to find a lasting solution.” President Yoweri Museveni also offered insights into the causes of conflict in other African countries and potential pathways to resolution.
The findings from the DRC mission were adopted during the 15th Plenary Assembly of FP-ICGLR held in Angola in April 2025. Resolution Number 15 of the Assembly called for CoSPAL to convene an extraordinary meeting to consider FP-ICGLR’s proposals for addressing peace and security challenges in the DRC and across the continent. Uganda accepted the request to host the event.
Summit Objectives and Expected Outcomes
“This extraordinary conference provides a unique opportunity for Speakers and Presidents of African legislatures to convene, collaborate, and commit to actionable strategies for fostering peace and security on the continent,” Speaker Among emphasized.
The summit will focus on deepening understanding of contemporary security threats, including terrorism, electoral violence, unconstitutional transitions, and organized crime. It will also aim to:
- Strengthen legislative oversight
- Promote parliamentary diplomacy
- Share best practices
- Foster inter-parliamentary cooperation
“The theme is intended to bring African legislatures to the centre of conflict resolution because of their representative role,” Among added.
Expected outcomes include a resolution calling for ceasefires in conflict-affected countries, support for regional peace efforts led by bodies such as the African Union, ECOWAS, EAC, SADC, ICGLR, IGAD, and the Arab Maghreb Union, and the establishment of a permanent African Speakers Centre on Peace and Security to be hosted in Uganda.
“The centre will serve as a permanent body for coordinating Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures’ efforts across Africa in promoting peace, conflict resolution, and legislative actions,” Among said.
Uganda’s Commitment to Continental Leadership
The Government of Uganda has pledged full logistical support for the summit, including VIP immigration clearance, airport transfers, and security for delegates. By convening CoSPAL, the Ugandan Parliament is positioning itself at the heart of continental peace-building efforts—amplifying the voice of legislatures in promoting good governance, regional cooperation, and the safeguarding of democratic order.
