LBy Eye Media Uganda | Kampala, Uganda | Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Uganda’s nominee for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, Dr Olara Otunnu, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, revealed that he never sought the world’s top diplomatic post, saying President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s decision to nominate him came as a complete surprise.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, the veteran diplomat said he had not been lobbying or preparing to contest for the prestigious position and described the nomination process as swift and unexpected.
“This is not something I was plotting to do or angling to be a candidate or working towards. It came very suddenly and moved very fast. It was a bit of a roller coaster,” Otunnu said.
Despite his long history of political differences with President Museveni, Otunnu said he felt deeply honoured by the government’s decision to entrust him with representing Uganda on the global stage.
The nomination marks a significant turn in the relationship between Otunnu and the government. More than three decades ago, his bid to secure Uganda’s endorsement for the same office failed amid political disagreements.
Asked whether the nomination signalled a reconciliation with President Museveni, Otunnu declined to speculate on the President’s decision, saying his focus was on serving Uganda.
“What I’m focusing on now is that the government, the President and the country have seen it fit to nominate Olara Otunnu on this occasion. I remain Olara Otunnu. My convictions, my views and my dream for Uganda and Africa remain the same,” he said.
Otunnu maintained that accepting the nomination did not mean abandoning his long-held political beliefs or criticisms of the President.
“What is important is not the divergence between President Museveni and me. What is important is that despite our differences and despite the unfortunate history, we as Ugandans have been mature enough to say we have a national project that can bring us together for the honour and benefit of the country,” he added.
President Museveni endorsed Otunnu for the UN Secretary-General position last week, placing Uganda in the race to succeed António Guterres when his term ends.
Otunnu joins six other candidates seeking the influential post, including Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, María Fernanda Espinosa of Ecuador, Macky Sall of Senegal and Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett of Guyana.
Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem welcomed the nomination, describing Museveni’s decision as both historic and timely.
“I thank President Museveni, in his respectful wisdom, for this timely and historical action, to not only nominate Dr Otunnu but also give a son of the soil an opportunity and possible chance to represent Uganda and Africa in this very high office,” Oryem said.
He urged Ugandans to unite behind Otunnu’s candidature, describing the UN race as a difficult but important international contest.
Otunnu previously served as Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1980 to 1985, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1985 to 1986, and later as UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict from 1997 to 2005.
The former Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president returned from exile in 2009 after more than two decades abroad and unsuccessfully challenged President Museveni in the 2011 presidential election. Despite years of political rivalry, his nomination has been widely viewed as a rare moment of national unity behind Uganda’s bid for one of the world’s most influential diplomatic offices.
