President Museveni has formally reaffirmed Uganda’s support for Ambassador Olara Otunnu’s candidature for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, as the government steps up efforts to secure international backing for his bid.
President Museveni made the endorsement during a meeting with representatives of members of the United Nations Security Council at State House, Entebbe, where he officially introduced Otunnu as Uganda’s nominee for the global position.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Uganda to outline its commitment to mobilising support for Otunnu’s candidature and to engage key members of the UN Security Council ahead of the selection process.
Introducing Otunnu to the diplomats, President Museveni described him as a distinguished Ugandan statesman and experienced diplomat with extensive knowledge of the United Nations system.
Museveni said Otunnu’s long career in international diplomacy positioned him well to lead the world’s leading multilateral institution at a time of growing global challenges.
“He is really the type of person you will need in the UN system because he is very much aligned to it. I therefore hand over Olara Otunnu to you,” President Museveni said.
The President said he has known Otunnu since their days at Makerere University, where Otunnu served as Guild President, and praised his international experience and ability to communicate in both English and French.
“He speaks English and French very well without a tribal accent, so I hand Ambassador Olara Otunnu to you so that he can brief you himself,” Museveni added.
Museveni also highlighted Uganda’s contribution to international peace and security, as well as its refugee policy, as key credentials supporting the country’s candidate.
“Uganda’s credentials in the UN are many, but the uncontested ones are two: our contribution to regional security and our support for refugees. Our candidate comes from that background,” he said.
The President noted Uganda’s role in regional security efforts, particularly in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region, while also acknowledging differing views on the country’s democratic record.
Otunnu Outlines Vision for UN Leadership
In his remarks, Ambassador Olara Otunnu thanked President Museveni and the Ugandan government for endorsing his candidature, saying members of the Security Council had previously sought clarity on Uganda’s commitment to his bid.
Otunnu said he had informed them that President Museveni was best placed to provide assurance regarding Uganda’s position.
He outlined his decades-long experience in international affairs, including serving as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, Chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights, President of the International Peace Academy, and United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.
Otunnu said his leadership approach is built around consensus-building, dialogue and cooperation, adding that the UN must remain focused on preventing conflicts, maintaining peace and supporting post-conflict recovery.
He also called for reforms aimed at improving the organisation’s efficiency, coordination and accountability.
On global development, Otunnu said the UN Secretary-General should play a stronger role in mobilising long-term financing for developing countries with credible development plans but limited resources.
He further emphasised the need for stronger international cooperation on emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to ensure innovation benefits humanity.
Otunnu pledged to promote transparency, merit and inclusivity within the United Nations while maintaining high professional standards.
He described the Secretary-General’s office as one requiring moral authority, humility, consensus-building and active engagement with member states.
Rugunda to Lead Diplomatic Campaign
Former Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to securing broad international support for Otunnu’s candidature.
President Museveni announced that Rugunda would lead a Ugandan delegation to engage governments in various capitals as part of the diplomatic campaign.
“We are going to send our delegation led by Dr. Rugunda to your capitals,” Museveni said.
Rugunda described Otunnu as a distinguished Ugandan statesman whose national and international experience had prepared him to lead the United Nations.
“I am very happy that you have endorsed Ambassador Otunnu. We will give him our full support,” Rugunda said.
He said Uganda believes the time has come for Otunnu to realise his long-standing ambition of serving as UN Secretary-General.
“I think now is the time to actualise this long-postponed aspiration,” he added.
The meeting was attended by ambassadors representing permanent and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, including representatives from Somalia, Denmark, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and the United States, among others.
