DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA – Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda Rt. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth has called for stronger involvement of women in leadership and decision-making as a key pillar in promoting lasting peace, stability and development across the Great Lakes Region.
Jacob Oboth made the remarks while joining women parliamentarians from the 12 member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) at the opening of the Women Parliamentary Conference 2026, held at the Julius Nyerere International Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The conference, held under the theme “For a Peaceful and Developed Great Lakes Region,” brought together legislators at a time when the region continues to grapple with economic shocks and prolonged conflicts, particularly in Sudan.
The 12 ICGLR member states represented at the gathering are Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Angola, Zambia, Sudan and South Sudan.
Addressing the regional challenges, Oboth emphasised that conflicts within the Great Lakes Region cannot be effectively resolved through isolated national efforts, noting that the interconnected nature of the region’s challenges requires collective commitment and coordinated action among member states.
The region is home to approximately 455 million people, most of them young, and has a combined economy estimated at US$600 billion, growing at between 4.5 and 5 per cent annually, according to the conference highlights.
However, average income remains approximately US$1,300 per person. Oboth stressed that the region’s youthful population can only become a meaningful development asset if governments create peaceful environments that allow investment in their future.
“Our young population is our greatest asset, but only if peace allows us to invest in their future,” Oboth said, underscoring the relationship between stability, economic growth and opportunities for the next generation.
He further stressed that lasting peace cannot be achieved without women occupying central positions in leadership and decision-making, recognising their contribution to conflict resolution, governance and regional development through the Forum of Parliaments of the ICGLR (FP-ICGLR).
Uganda’s delegation includes Hon. Ofwono Opondo, Hon. Niringiyimana James Kaberuka, Hon. Amaniyo Draville Sheilah and Hon. Nankwanga Stella, who are expected to participate in the conference activities until November 5, 2026.
The Ugandan delegation’s participation reflects the country’s commitment to regional cooperation and the belief that its prosperity is closely connected to the stability and development of neighbouring countries.
Oboth also expressed appreciation to the Parliament of Tanzania for hosting the conference and extending hospitality to the participating delegations, reaffirming the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in advancing peace and development across the Great Lakes Region.
