Otunnu says rift with Museveni persists despite backing him for UN top job

What the report says

Olara Otunnu, Uganda’s candidate for United Nations secretary-general, said his political disagreements with President Yoweri Museveni are still unresolved even though Museveni’s government is now backing his bid. The remarks came during a Tuesday briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, where Otunnu was presenting his manifesto and campaign message. The Observer reported that Otunnu also met Museveni on Monday at State House Entebbe, where the president hosted ambassadors from UN Security Council member states and formally introduced Otunnu as Uganda’s nominee.

Otunnu said the country could still unite around his candidacy despite past tensions with Museveni, including a long-running history over his earlier UN ambitions. He argued that the current support reflects a broader national project rather than the end of their differences. Museveni, in a post on X cited by the paper, urged diplomats to pass Uganda’s endorsement to their governments and said Otunnu had the experience and credentials for the role.

The article also noted that Otunnu is trying to recover from an early setback in the first straw poll, where he reportedly received two votes. He said the campaign began late and that he had not yet been able to travel widely to lobby member states. A Ugandan diplomat, Adonia Ayebare, defended the timing and said the race remained open. The piece adds that Otunnu is highlighting his human rights record as part of his pitch, against the backdrop of continued scrutiny of Uganda’s rights situation.