Moscow — Uganda’s candidate for United Nations Secretary-General, Ambassador Olara Otunnu, has met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow as Uganda intensifies efforts to rally support for his candidature.
The meeting took place on Monday, September 14, during a visit by Otunnu as part of a Ugandan delegation led by former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, who is serving as a Special Presidential Envoy.
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Otunnu presented his election platform during the meeting, while Lavrov outlined Russia’s requirements for candidates seeking the position of UN Secretary-General.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations’ central coordinating role in international affairs, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Otunnu confirmed the meeting in a statement, describing it as a courtesy visit to Lavrov as part of the delegation led by Rugunda.
The Ugandan Embassy in Moscow said Otunnu and Rugunda arrived in Russia on September 12 for engagements aimed at mobilising support for his candidature.
Otunnu’s candidature was formally submitted by Uganda in July, making him one of the candidates seeking to succeed António Guterres, whose second term as UN Secretary-General ends on December 31, 2026. The United Nations lists Otunnu among the candidates nominated for the post.
The former Ugandan ambassador to the UN and former UN Under-Secretary-General entered the race in July after President Yoweri Museveni nominated him as Uganda’s candidate. President Museveni has since led efforts to mobilise international backing for Otunnu.
Otunnu has also gained ground in the UN Security Council’s informal selection process. In the second straw poll held on August 21, he received five “encourage” votes, up from two in the first poll on July 30. Five members discouraged his candidacy, while five expressed no opinion.
The UN Security Council’s 15 members are expected to conduct further informal consultations and straw polls before the Council recommends a candidate to the General Assembly.
The selection process ultimately requires the Security Council to recommend a candidate, who is then appointed by the General Assembly. The five permanent members of the Council — China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — have veto powers over the recommendation.
Otunnu’s campaign comes amid a competitive race involving candidates from several regions, including Argentina, Costa Rica, Guyana, Senegal and Ecuador. The UN has said the process for selecting the 10th Secretary-General formally began in 2025.
