President Yoweri Museveni met with United Nations Special Envoy Huang Xia at State House Entebbe on Wednesday to discuss pressing regional issues, with a particular focus on the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and preparations for the upcoming Regional Oversight Mechanism (ROM) summit.

The high-level discussions centered on finding lasting solutions to instability in the Great Lakes region, which has been plagued by armed conflicts, particularly in eastern DRC. President Museveni reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to regional peace efforts and agreed to host the next ROM summit in May 2025. The exact date will be announced later, but the meeting is expected to bring together regional leaders to assess progress on peace agreements and security strategies.

The ROM summit, last held in Burundi under the leadership of President Évariste Ndayishimiye, serves as a critical platform for evaluating peace initiatives in the region. Key topics for the upcoming meeting will include the implementation of existing peace frameworks, the disarmament of rebel groups, and strategies to curb illegal exploitation of natural resources—a major driver of conflict in the DRC.

Huang Xia, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, commended Uganda’s role in fostering dialogue and stability. He emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among regional states to address cross-border security threats and humanitarian challenges. The discussions also touched on Uganda’s involvement in regional peacekeeping missions, including its contributions to the East African Community Regional Force deployed in eastern DRC.

President Museveni reiterated the importance of economic integration as a tool for reducing tensions in the region. He stressed that trade and infrastructure development could help alleviate the root causes of conflict by creating jobs and improving livelihoods. Uganda has been a key advocate for regional projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway and oil pipeline developments, which aim to boost connectivity and shared prosperity.

The meeting comes at a time when eastern DRC remains volatile, with frequent clashes between government forces and armed groups, including M23 rebels. The conflict has displaced millions and strained relations between the DRC and neighboring Rwanda, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of supporting the rebels—an allegation Rwanda denies. Uganda has positioned itself as a mediator, advocating for diplomatic solutions rather than military escalation.

Analysts say the ROM summit could be a turning point for the region if concrete actions are taken to enforce peace agreements. Previous meetings have produced commitments that were poorly implemented, but with Uganda hosting the next gathering, there is hope for stronger follow-through given Kampala’s influence in regional security matters.

As preparations for the May summit begin, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether this renewed diplomatic push can translate into tangible progress. For now, the Museveni-Xia meeting signals a shared determination to address the Great Lakes region’s complex challenges through dialogue and cooperation. The success of these efforts, however, will depend on the willingness of all parties to move beyond rhetoric and take decisive action toward peace.