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Race for UN top job: Otunnu meets Saudi foreign affairs deputy minister
In the poll held on August 21, Otunnu, who joined the race on July 24, 2026, drew five ‘encourage’ votes, five ‘discourage’ and five ‘no opinion’.
Dr. Olara Otunnu, Uganda’s candidate for UN Secretary-General, meets Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, to discuss his bid to lead the global organisation. (Courtesy)
By: Umar Kashaka, Journalist @New Vision
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Uganda’s candidate for the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General position, Dr Olara Otunnu, has held a meeting with Saudi Arabia's deputy minister for international multilateral affairs, Dr Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, over his bid to lead the global organisation.
The meeting took place in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on Tuesday (September 1).
Otunnu was led by his head of campaign, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, who is also the special envoy for special duties in the office of the President of Uganda (Yoweri Museveni).
The meeting was also attended by Uganda’s ambassadors to Saudi Arabia and Sudan, Isaac Biruma Ssebulime and Dr Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu, respectively.
The Ugandan ministry of foreign affairs permanent secretary, Vincent Bagiire, told New Vision Online on Wednesday (September 2) that the officials also discussed matters of shared interest.
“He (Otunnu) is also scheduled to meet UK officials, and those from other major powers. We are hoping that he visits all the major powers,” he added.
Last month, President Museveni instructed the ministry of foreign affairs and its teams around the world to make Uganda’s bid for Otunnu’s election as UN secretary general their top priority.
Foreign affairs minister Adonia Ayebare said he was proud to be part of Otunnu's “viable candidature” and thanked all UN member states for granting the 75-year-old seasoned diplomat audience to present his vision.
After receiving the results of the second straw poll, where he had gained the sharpest percentage increase in support of his candidature, Otunnu told the media that he was grateful to all the Security Council members.
“I look forward to continued engagement with members of the Security Council and all member states of the United Nations,” he added.
“He (Otunnu) is also scheduled to meet UK officials, and those from other major powers. We are hoping that he visits all the major powers,” he added.
Last month, President Museveni instructed the ministry of foreign affairs and its teams around the world to make Uganda’s bid for Otunnu’s election as UN secretary general their top priority.
Foreign affairs minister Adonia Ayebare said he was proud to be part of Otunnu's “viable candidature” and thanked all UN member states for granting the 75-year-old seasoned diplomat audience to present his vision.
After receiving the results of the second straw poll, where he had gained the sharpest percentage increase in support of his candidature, Otunnu told the media that he was grateful to all the Security Council members.
“I look forward to continued engagement with members of the Security Council and all member states of the United Nations,” he added.
In the poll held on August 21, Otunnu, who joined the race on July 24, 2026, drew five ‘encourage’ votes, five ‘discourage’ and five ‘no opinion’.
His candidature was announced by the Ugandan government only days before the first round of the straw poll on July 30, 2026.
Contenders running to become the world’s most prominent diplomat are now eight, including Ecuadorean diplomat Ivonne Baki, who joined the race last month.
The others are; Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, Ecuador’s Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Senegal’s Macky Sall and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi.
Under the UN Charter, the General Assembly elects the secretary-general on the recommendation of the Security Council. The five permanent UN members are: the United States, Russia, China, France and the UK.
The new UN chief is set to take office on January 1, 2027. The election is expected to be conducted next month.
His candidature was announced by the Ugandan government only days before the first round of the straw poll on July 30, 2026.
Contenders running to become the world’s most prominent diplomat are now eight, including Ecuadorean diplomat Ivonne Baki, who joined the race last month.
The others are; Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, Ecuador’s Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Senegal’s Macky Sall and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi.
Under the UN Charter, the General Assembly elects the secretary-general on the recommendation of the Security Council. The five permanent UN members are: the United States, Russia, China, France and the UK.
The new UN chief is set to take office on January 1, 2027. The election is expected to be conducted next month.