Uganda has nominated Ambassador Olara Otunnu for the position of United Nations Secretary-General , bringing global attention to one of the country’s most experienced diplomats and international figures. Born on September 6, 1950, Otunnu has built a career spanning more than five decades in diplomacy, government, peacebuilding, human rights and academia. His journey began as a student activist opposing the regime of former Ugandan President Idi Amin, which forced him into exile. He later studied at the University of Oxford , where he earned a degree in Jurisprudence, before obtaining a Maste

Uganda has nominated Ambassador Olara Otunnu for the position of United Nations Secretary-General, bringing global attention to one of the country’s most experienced diplomats and international figures. Born on September 6, 1950, Otunnu has built a career spanning more than five decades in diplomacy, government, peacebuilding, human rights and academia. His journey began as a student activist opposing the regime of former Ugandan President Idi Amin, which forced him into exile. He later studied at the University of Oxford, where he earned a degree in Jurisprudence, before obtaining a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School as a Fulbright Scholar. Otunnu began his diplomatic career in 1980 as Uganda’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations. During his time at the UN, he served as President of the Security Council in 1981 and Vice President of the General Assembly between 1983 and 1984. He is credited with introducing the confidential voting process known as the “Otunnu Formula,” which remains a key procedure in selecting UN Secretaries-General. He later served as Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1985 to 1986 under President Milton Obote and contributed to peace efforts that led to the Nairobi Peace Agreement. Between 1998 and 2005, Otunnu served as the first UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. He played a major role in making the protection of children affected by war a global peace and security priority. Throughout his career, Otunnu has worked in conflict zones including Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan and Sierra Leone. He has also served in international peace and governance organizations. If elected UN Secretary-General, Otunnu says he would focus on restoring the UN’s credibility, strengthening conflict prevention, reforming the organization and addressing global challenges such as climate change, artificial intelligence and migration. At 75, Otunnu hopes to become the first Ugandan to lead the United Nations.

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