Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni convened a high-level meeting at the State House in Entebbe with diplomats from the United Nations Security Council to advocate for Olara Otunnu’s candidacy for the position of UN Secretary-General.

The gathering included representatives from permanent Security Council members—the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, and France—as well as non-permanent members such as Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, and Pakistan. The meeting marked a formal presentation of Uganda’s nominee as the campaign intensifies ahead of the selection process to succeed Antonio Guterres.

Candidate Profile and Campaign Strategy

Olara Otunnu, a seasoned diplomat and former UN Undersecretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (1998-2005), entered the race later than other contenders. He is among seven candidates vying to lead the global body, including former Senegalese President Macky Sall, who also represents Africa.

Kampala has appointed former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda to spearhead Otunnu’s international campaign. Rugunda, who has served twice as president of the UN Security Council, is tasked with engaging key Western capitals and influential UN members to build crucial support.

Otunnu’s Diplomatic Credentials

  • Permanent Representative of Uganda to the UN (1980-1985), during which he served as Security Council president and chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights
  • President of the International Peace Institute (1990-1997)
  • UN Undersecretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict (1998-2005)

His extensive UN experience underpins Uganda’s campaign, emphasizing his alignment with the organisation’s mission and his longstanding diplomatic service.

Challenges and Support

Despite Otunnu’s credentials, a July 27 straw poll placed him at the bottom among candidates, with Senegal’s Macky Sall ranking fifth. The poll, an informal measure of candidate support pioneered by Otunnu himself in the 1980s, is expected to be followed by a second round on August 21.

Museveni highlighted Uganda’s contributions to regional peace and security, particularly in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region, and its progressive refugee policies as key factors that bolster Otunnu’s candidacy. These efforts have been acknowledged by Security Council diplomats as significant assets.

Vision for the UN

Otunnu advocates for the UN to lead global cooperation on emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence, ensuring technological progress benefits all. He emphasizes the importance of conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict recovery as core priorities.

Additionally, he proposes institutional reforms to enhance the UN’s efficiency, coordination, and accountability, alongside a stronger role for the Secretary-General in mobilizing long-term development financing for Global South countries with viable plans but limited resources.