KAMPALA — Uganda has formally submitted the candidature of Ambassador Olara Otunnu for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, fronting the veteran diplomat as the country’s choice to lead the global body after the end of António Guterres’ term.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that Otunnu’s nomination had been submitted, describing him as a seasoned international statesman with extensive experience in diplomacy, peacebuilding, human rights, and multilateral affairs.
According to the Ministry, Otunnu brings more than four decades of service at national and international levels, including senior roles within the United Nations system.
“Ambassador Otunnu brings to this candidature over four decades of distinguished service at the highest levels of international diplomacy, having served both within the United Nations system and in senior leadership roles across government, academia, and civil society,” the Ministry said.
Otunnu previously served as the first United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict from 1998 to 2005.
During his tenure, he pushed the protection of children affected by armed conflicts to the forefront of the UN agenda and helped establish the monitoring and reporting mechanism adopted by the UN Security Council under Resolution 1612 in 2005.
His diplomatic career at the UN dates back to the early 1980s when he served as Uganda’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations between 1980 and 1985.
In 1981, Otunnu served as President of the UN Security Council and introduced a straw-balloting system for selecting the Secretary-General. The process later became known as the “Otunnu Formula” and has been used as a guide in subsequent Secretary-General elections.
At home, Otunnu served as Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1985 to 1986 during the country’s transitional period following the fall of the Idi Amin government. He was also a member of the Uganda National Consultative Council.
Beyond government service, he headed the International Peace Academy, now the International Peace Institute, as President from 1990 to 1998 and has held academic positions at Albany Law School, the American University in Paris, and the Institut Français des Relations Internationales.
His contributions to peace and human rights have earned him international recognition, including the Sydney Peace Prize in 2005, the German Africa Prize in 2002, and the Harvard Law School Alumni Association Award in 2007.
In recent years, Otunnu has focused on peacebuilding efforts in northern Uganda through Roco Paco, an initiative he co-leads with Chief Justice Emeritus Justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo, aimed at supporting reconciliation and community recovery after years of conflict.
The diplomat holds a Bachelor’s degree in Jurisprudence from Oxford University and a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School. He is fluent in English, French, and Luo.
The Government of Uganda said Otunnu’s combined experience in the UN Secretariat, Security Council, national government, academia, and grassroots peace initiatives makes him a suitable candidate to lead the United Nations.
“The Government of Uganda is confident that Ambassador Otunnu’s unique breadth of experience makes him exceptionally well suited to lead the United Nations at this critical juncture in global affairs,” the Ministry said.
The current UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to complete his second term on December 31, 2026. Uganda has called on UN member states to support Otunnu’s bid for the top diplomatic position.