'Distinguished record': Ugandan officials upbeat about Otunnu’s UN candidacy
Minister of ICT and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba said Uganda is proud to support Otunnu, the former UN under-secretary-general for children and armed conflict, for the UN top job.
Mbidde told Ugandans that Otunnu’s late entry into the race should not blind them to his proven worth, experience and service. “This is a moment for national pride—let us firmly support his UN secretary-general bid.”
KAMPALA - Several top Ugandan government officials and experts have expressed optimism about Dr Olara Otunnu’s candidacy for the United Nations (UN) secretary-general position despite his late entry into the race.
Secretary-General António Guterres is due to end his second and final term of office at the end of the year, with six other candidates standing to replace him.
They include former president of Chile Michelle Bachelet, former president of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa from Ecuador, and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi from Argentina.
Others are former Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, and former Senegalese President Macky Sall. All these candidates have already been interviewed, except Otunnu.
Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Adonia Ayebare, who has been designated foreign affairs minister, said he would officially communicate Otunnu’s candidature to the global organisation today Monday.
He said this on Sunday (July 26) via X (formerly Twitter), two days after Uganda submitted Otunnu’s candidature to both the presidents of the UN General Assembly and UN Security Council.
Under the UN Charter, the General Assembly appoints the secretary-general on the recommendation of the Security Council.
Ugandans optimistic
Minister of ICT and National Guidance Justine Kasule Lumumba said Uganda is proud to support Otunnu, the former UN under-secretary-general for children and armed conflict, for the UN top job.
“His commitment to peace, human rights, people-centred leadership and shared future reflects the values our world needs now. Amb. Olara Otunnu for a stronger United Nations,” she stated on her X account on Monday.
Justice minister and Democratic Party (DP) president Norbert Mao noted that 36 years ago, Otunnu had a clean shot at the position of UN secretary-general, but politics got in the way.
He, however, said 36 years later, in the spirit of reconciliation, Uganda has endorsed one of its most illustrious sons for the UN top job.
Lillian Aber, the state minister for disaster preparedness, relief and refugees, appreciated President Yoweri Museveni’s nomination of Otunnu for the position.
“His distinguished record in diplomacy, conflict resolution and the defence of human rights makes him an outstanding candidate to lead a more effective and people-centred United Nations,” Aber added.
DP deputy president and legal expert Fred Mukasa Mbidde said he last worked with Otunnu during their Go Forward pressure group activities.
“I admire his ignobility, stoicism, dexterity, sagacity and outright effulgence. Go and do it for Uganda,” he told Otunnu, the ex-UN diplomat.
Mbidde told Ugandans that Otunnu’s late entry into the race should not blind them to his proven worth, experience and service. “This is a moment for national pride—let us firmly support his UN secretary-general bid.”
However, there is a strong possibility that the next UN secretary-general will be a woman. In its 81-year history, the UN has had nine secretaries-general, all men, and arguments have been advanced that the time has come for a woman to lead the global organisation.
Experts also say there will be backroom bargaining, mainly involving the United States and other permanent members of the Security Council, Russia, China, France and the UK.
There is an unwritten rule of regional rotation, and the geographical bloc of Latin America and the Caribbean is likely to be next in line to occupy the seat.