Otunnu Forgives Museveni Gov’t Over Passport Denial
Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General Olara Otunnu says he has forgiven the Ugandan government for what he describes as years of mistreatment that left him stateless after authorities allegedly refused to renew his Ugandan passport.
Otunnu, once one of President Yoweri Museveni’s most outspoken political critics, says he has chosen to move beyond the painful chapter and instead focus on what he describes as a shared national mission following Uganda’s endorsement of his candidature for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.
His remarks come just days after President Museveni publicly backed his bid to succeed António Guterres as the next UN Secretary-General, marking a remarkable thaw in relations between the veteran diplomat and the government he fiercely opposed for decades. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Uganda Radio Network (URN), Otunnu said he no longer harbours resentment over the circumstances that left him without Ugandan citizenship for several years.
“For many, many years, I was stateless, not by my choice, but because the Ugandan government had declined to renew my passport. But all that is history. It is true, it is factual, but I don’t dwell on that,” Otunnu said, recalling how he ended up as a citizen of Côte d’Ivoire in 2005.
He said his decision to forgive those responsible was made long before his current bid for the UN’s top office. “I personally have gone through the process, the soul-searching, the reflection, and forgiven what may have been done to me by whoever,” he said.
Although he declined to reveal details of any discussions he may have had with President Museveni regarding their past differences, Otunnu said the country’s attention should now be directed toward Uganda’s opportunity to produce the next leader of the United Nations.
“I just want us to focus on the present, on this development, which is very positive for the country. It doesn’t change me. It doesn’t change President Museveni, but it brings us together on a common national project that brings pride and honour to Uganda,” he said. Otunnu argued that his candidature should not be viewed as a personal achievement but as a national milestone, noting that Uganda shaped his education, values and leadership.
He said his extensive career within the United Nations gives him a unique advantage over other candidates. During his decades-long service, Otunnu served as President of the UN Security Council, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, President of the International Peace Academy, and the UN’s first Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.
On the growing number of international crises, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the conflict in Sudan, and instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Otunnu said the UN Secretary-General must remain actively engaged with global powers while pursuing diplomatic solutions.
Otunnu, once one of President Yoweri Museveni’s most outspoken political critics, says he has chosen to move beyond the painful chapter and instead focus on what he describes as a shared national mission following Uganda’s endorsement of his candidature for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.
His remarks come just days after President Museveni publicly backed his bid to succeed António Guterres as the next UN Secretary-General, marking a remarkable thaw in relations between the veteran diplomat and the government he fiercely opposed for decades. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Uganda Radio Network (URN), Otunnu said he no longer harbours resentment over the circumstances that left him without Ugandan citizenship for several years.
“For many, many years, I was stateless, not by my choice, but because the Ugandan government had declined to renew my passport. But all that is history. It is true, it is factual, but I don’t dwell on that,” Otunnu said, recalling how he ended up as a citizen of Côte d’Ivoire in 2005.
He said his decision to forgive those responsible was made long before his current bid for the UN’s top office. “I personally have gone through the process, the soul-searching, the reflection, and forgiven what may have been done to me by whoever,” he said.
Although he declined to reveal details of any discussions he may have had with President Museveni regarding their past differences, Otunnu said the country’s attention should now be directed toward Uganda’s opportunity to produce the next leader of the United Nations.
“I just want us to focus on the present, on this development, which is very positive for the country. It doesn’t change me. It doesn’t change President Museveni, but it brings us together on a common national project that brings pride and honour to Uganda,” he said. Otunnu argued that his candidature should not be viewed as a personal achievement but as a national milestone, noting that Uganda shaped his education, values and leadership.
He said his extensive career within the United Nations gives him a unique advantage over other candidates. During his decades-long service, Otunnu served as President of the UN Security Council, Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights, President of the International Peace Academy, and the UN’s first Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict.
On the growing number of international crises, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the conflict in Sudan, and instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Otunnu said the UN Secretary-General must remain actively engaged with global powers while pursuing diplomatic solutions.
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