Museveni: Otunu has integrity and diplomatic credentials to lead UN

President Yoweri Museveni has endorsed veteran diplomat Olara Otunnu for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, describing him as a candidate with the experience, integrity and diplomatic credentials to lead the global body.

Museveni made the remarks during a meeting with ambassadors representing members of the United Nations Security Council at State House Entebbe, where he formally presented Uganda’s candidate.

“I met ambassadors representing members of the United Nations Security Council and formally presented Ambassador Olara Otunnu as Uganda’s candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General,” Museveni said.

“I urged them to convey Uganda’s endorsement to their respective governments. Ambassador Otunnu has the experience, integrity and diplomatic credentials to lead the UN,” he added.

The president also pointed to Uganda’s record in promoting regional peace and hosting refugees as a reflection of the values underpinning the country’s support for Otunnu’s candidature.

Earlier this month, Museveni nominated Otunnu for the position, setting in motion Uganda’s bid to influence leadership at the United Nations.

The nomination was formally communicated to member states in a joint letter by Annalena Baerbock and Zenon Ngay Mukongo, confirming Uganda’s submission under the agreed UN selection process.

“We have the honour to jointly inform Member States that the Republic of Uganda has presented the nomination of Olara Otunnu as candidate for the position of Secretary-General,” the letter reads.

They added that the nomination, dated July 24, 2026, was transmitted through Uganda’s permanent mission to the United Nations.

Otunnu brings decades of diplomatic and international experience. He served as Uganda’s permanent representative to the United Nations from 1980 to 1985 under President Milton Obote.

During that period, he held several high-level roles, including president of the UN Security Council in 1981, where he presided over the election of then Secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar.

He is also credited with introducing the “straw polling” method, widely known as the Otunnu Formula, which remains part of the process for selecting UN secretaries-general.

From 1982 to 1983, Otunnu served as vice president of the UN General Assembly and chaired the Contact Group on Global Negotiations. He later chaired the UN Commission on Human Rights.

Between 1985 and 1986, he served as Uganda’s minister of foreign affairs, playing a role in the Nairobi Agreement.

Otunnu later became president of the International Peace Institute in 1990, a position he held until 1998, helping to expand the organisation’s global reach.

In 1997, he was appointed by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as under-secretary-general and special representative for children in armed conflict.

His nomination places Uganda among countries seeking to shape the leadership of the United Nations, with the selection process expected to involve consultations and possible voting in both the Security Council and the General Assembly.

If successful, Otunnu would become the first Ugandan to lead the United Nations at a time when the organisation faces growing pressure to respond to complex global challenges.

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