By Diana N. Kintu
H.E. Museveni in the meeting together with diplomats from Somalia, Denmark, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and the United States
Uganda has never had one of its citizens serve as United Nations Secretary-General. On Tuesday, that ambition moved a step closer to reality as President Yoweri Museveni formally launched the country’s campaign by endorsing Ambassador Olara Otunnu for the UN’s highest office.
Speaking at State House, Entebbe, Museveni presented Otunnu to representatives of United Nations Security Council member states, describing him as an experienced diplomat whose decades of service within the UN system have prepared him to lead the global organisation.
The meeting brought together diplomats from Somalia, Denmark, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and the United States, whose governments play a key role in the process of selecting the next Secretary-General.
“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.
H.E Yoweri Kaguuta Museveni posing for the photo with other UN Diplomats
The President said his confidence in Otunnu was built on a relationship that dates back to their days at Makerere University, where Otunnu served as Guild President. He also praised the ambassador’s command of English and French, describing him as a leader capable of engaging effectively on the international stage.
Museveni said Uganda’s campaign is founded on the country’s longstanding contribution to regional peace and security, as well as its internationally recognised refugee policy.
“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.
Otunnu welcomed the President’s endorsement, saying it demonstrated Uganda’s commitment to securing the position after an earlier attempt fell short. He noted that members of the Security Council had sought assurance that the country was fully behind his candidacy.
Drawing on more than three decades of service within the United Nations, Otunnu highlighted his experience as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, President of the UN Security Council, Chairperson of the UN Commission on Human Rights, and United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.
He said his vision for the organisation centres on strengthening conflict prevention, reforming multilateral institutions, improving financing for developing countries and promoting global cooperation on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Former Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, who will lead Uganda’s diplomatic campaign, described the endorsement as the beginning of a renewed effort to realise a long-held national aspiration.
“I think now is the time to actualise this long-postponed aspiration,” Dr. Rugunda said.
Rugunda and his delegation are expected to begin engagements with Security Council capitals in the coming weeks as Uganda seeks international support ahead of the selection process. Tuesday’s endorsement marked the formal launch of the country’s campaign to secure one of the world’s most influential diplomatic positions and signalled Uganda’s determination to see Otunnu compete on the global stage.
Source: Presidential Press Unit (PPU), State House, Uganda.