Written By | BK Mugizi
In a statement issued on July 26, 2026, the ministry said Otunnu's extensive experience within the United Nations system makes him a strong candidate to lead the global organisation.
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KAMPALA
Uganda has nominated former presidential candidate and veteran diplomat Ambassador Olara Otunnu for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, placing him among the contenders seeking to succeed António Guterres when his term ends later this year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted Otunnu's candidature in a letter to the Presidents of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council, describing him as an experienced statesman with more than four decades of service in international diplomacy, government, academia and civil society.
In a statement issued on July 26, 2026, the ministry said Otunnu's extensive experience within the United Nations system makes him a strong candidate to lead the global organisation.
Extensive UN experience
Otunnu served as the UN Under-Secretary-General and the first Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict from 1998 to 2005.
During his tenure, he championed the protection of children affected by armed conflict and played a key role in establishing the UN Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on grave violations against children in conflict zones, which was adopted through UN Security Council Resolution 1612 in 2005.
He previously served as Uganda's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1980 to 1985, during which he presided over the UN Security Council in December 1981.
The ministry also credited Otunnu with introducing the straw-balloting system used in the selection of UN Secretary-General candidates, a process that later became known as the "Otunnu Formula."
Political background
At the national level, Otunnu served as Uganda's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1985 to 1986.
He later became president of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) and contested for Uganda's presidency in the 2011 general election.
Seven candidates in the race
Otunnu, 75, becomes the seventh candidate to enter the race for the UN's top job.
Other candidates include Rafael Grossi of Argentina, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency; former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet; Rebeca Grynspan, former Vice President of Costa Rica; María Fernanda Espinosa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence of Ecuador; Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, former Foreign Minister of Guyana; and Macky Sall, former President of Senegal.
The selection process is expected to begin with straw polls by the 15-member UN Security Council to narrow down the field of candidates.
Challenges ahead
The next UN Secretary-General will inherit a range of global challenges, including ongoing armed conflicts, growing calls for institutional reform, rising operational costs, and demands for greater efficiency within the organisation.
In his vision statement, Otunnu pledged to prioritise efforts to end major international conflicts, continue UN reforms, establish a global body to oversee artificial intelligence governance, promote climate action, and support sustainable economic development.
Diplomats say there is no clear frontrunner in the race, although some countries have expressed support for a candidate from Latin America or for the first woman to lead the United Nations.
The final decision will largely depend on securing the support of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—each of which has veto power over the appointment.
