Museveni Leads Uganda's Global Push for Olara Otunnu's UN Secretary-General Bid

By Osmara Digital Media

Entebbe, Uganda. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met representatives of United Nations Security Council member states at State House Entebbe, where he formally presented Ambassador Olara Otunnu as Uganda's candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni reaffirmed Uganda's commitment to strengthening its role in global diplomacy by formally endorsing Ambassador Olara Otunnu's candidature for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, while launching a high-level diplomatic campaign to mobilise international support for his bid.

Speaking during a meeting with ambassadors representing members of the United Nations Security Council at State House, Entebbe, President Museveni presented Ambassador Otunnu as Uganda's official candidate, describing him as an accomplished statesman and seasoned diplomat with the experience, integrity and global outlook required to lead the world's premier multilateral organisation. "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 told the diplomats.

Museveni recalled knowing Ambassador Otunnu since their days at Makerere University, where Otunnu served as Guild President. He praised his command of English and French and highlighted his decades of distinguished service within the United Nations system, describing these qualities as valuable assets for effective global leadership.

President Museveni also underscored Uganda's long-standing contribution to regional peace and security, particularly in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region, as well as the country's internationally recognised refugee policy. He said these achievements reflect Uganda's commitment to peace, humanitarian responsibility and international cooperation.

"Uganda's credentials in the UN are many, but the uncontested ones are our contribution to regional security and our support for refugees. Our candidate comes from that background," he said.

Receiving the government's endorsement, Ambassador Otunnu thanked President Museveni and Uganda for their confidence, saying the support demonstrated national unity behind his candidature.

Olara outlined a vision focused on preventing conflicts, strengthening peacebuilding efforts, advancing sustainable development and improving the effectiveness of the United Nations through institutional reforms that promote efficiency, transparency and accountability.

He also called for stronger international cooperation in addressing emerging global challenges, including artificial intelligence, climate-related issues and development financing, stressing that the United Nations should continue serving as a platform for consensus-building and collective action.

Ambassador Otunnu further pledged to uphold the principles of merit, professionalism and inclusivity within the organisation while working closely with member states to advance peace, human rights and sustainable development.

Representatives of Security Council member states welcomed the opportunity to engage with President Museveni and Ambassador Otunnu. They commended Ambassador Otunnu's distinguished international career and acknowledged Uganda's respected role in promoting regional stability and hosting refugees.

To strengthen Uganda's campaign, President Museveni announced that former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda would lead a delegation to engage governments in various capitals and build international support for Ambassador Otunnu's candidature.

Dr. Rugunda described Ambassador Otunnu as one of Uganda's most accomplished diplomats, noting that his decades of service at both national and international levels have prepared him to lead the United Nations.

He expressed confidence that the time had come for Ambassador Otunnu to realise his long-held aspiration of serving as Secretary-General and appealed to ambassadors to convey Uganda's message of support to their respective governments.

The meeting, attended by ambassadors representing both permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, marked another significant step in Uganda's diplomatic engagement with the international community.

By championing Ambassador Otunnu's candidature, President Museveni reaffirmed Uganda's commitment to multilateral cooperation, international peace and effective global governance, while positioning the country as an active contributor to shaping the future leadership of the United Nations.