Media centre
In the Press
VIDEOS
Media stakeout with Olara Otunnu
19 AUGUST 2026
The Independent (Uganda) - 20 August 2026
Why Otunnu is UN's best bet for this moment
Anyone who watched Olara Otunnu face the UN General Assembly in this week's interactive dialogue saw something different in modern diplomacy: he answered hard questions without notes, without hedging, and without losing his composure.
Read the article
Reuters - 19 August 2026
Ugandan U.N. candidate stresses reform, invokes St Francis
Ugandan candidate Olara Otunnu set out his case to lead the United Nations, stressing reform of the organisation and invoking the prayer of St Francis of Assisi before the General Assembly.
Read the article
Daily Monitor - 19 August 2026
Olara Otunnu outlines vision to lead UN in New York dialogue
Ambassador Olara Otunnu presented his vision for the United Nations during the informal interactive dialogue with member states at UN headquarters in New York.
Read the article
The New Indian Express - 11 August 2026
Picking the top global diplomat
Forty-five years ago, Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu devised an informal voting system to break a bitter deadlock over the appointment of a United Nations secretary-general.
Read the article
The Washington Post - 10 August 2026
Ugandan statesman is in the race to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations
A Ugandan statesman is in the race to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, the latest entrant in a contest that includes six others who want to succeed Antonio Guterres at the end of this year.
Read the articleAssociated Press - 4 August 2026
Ugandan statesman is in the race to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations
A Ugandan statesman is in the race to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, the latest entrant in a contest that includes six others who want to succeed Antonio Guterres at the end of this year.
Read the article
DW - 28 July 2026
Uganda's Olara Otunnu eyes UN top job
Uganda's Olara Otunnu has joined the race to become the next UN Secretary-General. But his candidacy enters a contest shaped by growing tensions between Rwanda and Burundi over support for rival candidate Macky Sall.
Read the article
The EastAfrican - 27 July 2026
Uganda's Otunnu nomination throws UN top-post race wide open
Uganda has thrown the race for the next UN Secretary-General wide open by nominating former diplomat Olara Otunnu, adding another African contender to a contest already shaped by questions of regional rotation and gender balance.
Read the article
ChimpReports - 27 July 2026
PROFILE: Who is Olara Otunnu? The Ugandan diplomat seeking to lead the United Nations
Uganda's nomination of Ambassador Olara Otunnu for United Nations Secretary-General has brought renewed attention to one of the country's most accomplished diplomats, whose career spans more than five decades in government, international diplomacy, peacebuilding, academia and human rights advocacy.
Read the article
Africanews - 26 July 2026
Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu joins race to lead the United Nations
Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu has become the seventh candidate to join the race to become the next leader of the United Nations. The former UN under-secretary-general was nominated by Kampala on Friday.
Read the article
Reuters - 26 July 2026
Ugandan diplomat Otunnu joins race to become next UN head
Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu has joined the contest to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, the seventh contender to succeed Antonio Guterres when he steps down at the end of this year.
Read the articleOvercast (podcast) - August 2026
Who's next UN chief? The Bad Natives Podcast
The race for the next UN Secretary-General intensifies as Olara Otunnu joins top contenders, in a wide-ranging podcast discussion on Africa's place in the global spotlight.
Read the article
Harvard Law Today - 14 June 2007
Olara Otunnu receives Harvard Law School Association Award
Harvard Law School graduate Olara Otunnu LL.M. '78 received the Harvard Law School Association Award from Dean Elena Kagan, honouring his career in public service and his leadership in international security and human rights.
Read the article
Angelo Izama - 2007
The era of application: comments on international justice in a new world
Olara Otunnu's remarks on international justice, delivered on receiving the Harvard Law School Association Award, calling for an 'era of application' that turns international standards into facts on the ground.
Read the article
Sydney Peace Foundation - 2005
2005 Sydney Peace Prize: Olara Otunnu
The Sydney Peace Prize was awarded to Olara Otunnu for his outstanding advocacy for the rights of children affected by armed conflict and for his lifelong commitment to peace with justice.
Read the article
UN News - 12 May 2005
UN envoy for war-affected children gets peace award
The United Nations envoy for children and armed conflict, Olara Otunnu, has been awarded the Sydney Peace Prize for his efforts to protect children in war zones and end the use of child soldiers.
Read the article
BBC News - 8 May 2002
Profile: Olara Otunnu
A BBC profile of Olara Otunnu, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, tracing his path from student leader in Uganda to a global advocate determined to end the exploitation of children in war.
Read the article
UN Press - 10 October 1997
Olara Otunnu appointed Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has appointed Olara Otunnu as his Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict, a mandate created to advocate for the protection, healing and reintegration of children caught in war.
Read the articlePress materials
Background and documents
Biographical profile
A full account of four decades of service - the Security Council, the International Peace Academy, and the protection of children in war.
Download CVVision statement
The candidate's programme for the United Nations: reform, ending today's wars, and the renewal of the Charter's promise.
Download statementPress kit
A press kit for the media: biography, key facts and priorities of the candidacy.
Download press kitOpening remarks
Ambassador Olara Otunnu's opening remarks to the United Nations General Assembly interactive dialogue with candidates for Secretary-General.
Download opening remarksGallery
Official photographs
Available for editorial use with the credit line “Courtesy of the Uganda Media Centre”. Select an image to view it larger; high-resolution files are supplied on request.