Q&A: Amb Olara Otunnu on UN Reform, AI, Africa’s Voice and Global Peace

What the report says

SoftPower News published an edited question-and-answer with Ambassador Olara Otunnu, Uganda’s candidate for the post of United Nations Secretary-General, following his appearance before journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala. In the discussion, he laid out his vision for the UN and addressed several major policy themes, including reform of multilateral institutions, the need for rules around artificial intelligence, Africa’s representation on the Security Council, and the broader question of what his bid means for Uganda.

The interview places Otunnu’s candidacy in the context of long-running debates over how the UN reflects the interests of smaller and underrepresented states. His remarks, as presented by SoftPower News, suggest a campaign focused not only on Uganda’s profile but also on larger concerns about global governance and peace. The outlet did not publish a full transcript, but said the conversation was edited from his presentation to journalists.

More broadly, the piece fits into ongoing international discussion about whether the UN’s structures still match current geopolitical realities. AI governance, Security Council reform, and Africa’s role in decision-making have all become recurring issues in diplomatic forums. SoftPower News’s report highlights Otunnu’s effort to connect those themes to his candidacy and to Uganda’s place in multilateral diplomacy.