President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially endorsed Ambassador Olara Otunnu as Uganda’s candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.
The endorsement was made during a meeting at State House Entebbe, where President Museveni presented Uganda’s nominee to representatives of member states of the United Nations Security Council.
While introducing Otunnu, President Museveni described him as a highly qualified diplomat with the experience and credentials needed to lead the United Nations, citing his decades of service within the UN system.
“He is quite the quality you need because he has spent much of his career at the United Nations. He’s really the type of person we need in the UN system because he is very much aligned with its principles and speaks both French and English very well, without a tribal accent. So, I hand over Ambassador Olara Otunnu,” Museveni said.
The President praised Otunnu’s international experience and diplomatic abilities, expressing confidence that he would effectively represent not only Uganda but the broader interests of the international community.
Speaking after the endorsement, Ambassador Olara Otunnu highlighted his extensive experience within the United Nations, saying it has defined most of his professional life.
“In terms of my background, most of my working life has been at the United Nations and in UN-related activities,” Otunnu said.
Former Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda also rallied support for Otunnu’s candidature, urging the diplomats present to convey Uganda’s position to their respective governments.
“We will give you our full support, and I hope that the ambassadors will clearly convey that message to their respective governments,” Rugunda said.
He noted that despite Otunnu’s past role as president of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and his previous bid for Uganda’s presidency against Museveni, the country was now united behind his international candidacy.
“In national politics, he remains a strong pillar. As the President said, he was both a leader of UPC and a presidential candidate who competed against the President. We believe the time has come to actualize the long-postponed ascendancy of Olara Otunnu to the position of United Nations Secretary-General. We ask you to play your role in that direction,” Rugunda added.
JUST IN – President Museveni has formally endorsed Ambassador Olara Otunnu for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. The President presented Uganda’s nominee to representatives of UN Security Council member states during a meeting at State House Entebbe. pic.twitter.com/fOckmNUZD1
— UBC UGANDA (@ubctvuganda) August 3, 2026
