Politics 28 July 2026 Nile Post
Museveni Champions OACPS HQ Relocation Amid Otunnu's UN Campaign
President Museveni has publicly backed the relocation of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) headquarters to a member nation, a move seen as a strategic diplomatic step that may also bolster Uganda's bid for Ambassador Olara Otunnu's UN Secretary-General candidacy. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/359811/museveni-backs-oacps-headquarters-relocation-as-otunnus-un-campaign-enters-diplomatic-phase
President Yoweri Museveni has expressed strong support for relocating the headquarters of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) from Europe to one of its member states. The announcement came during a meeting at State House Entebbe with OACPS Secretary-General Moussa Saleh Batraki, framing the initiative as a means to bolster the organization’s independence and better align it with the interests of its 79 member nations.
Museveni emphasized historical and familial ties, stating, “Africans in the Caribbean and the indigenous peoples of the Pacific are part of our extended African family.” This sentiment extended to his pledge of deeper cooperation with the bloc.
The timing of this endorsement is particularly significant, occurring shortly after Uganda formally nominated veteran diplomat Olara Otunnu to succeed António Guterres as the next UN Secretary-General. The nomination places Uganda in a highly competitive race, with Otunnu vying against other African candidates and benefiting from the informal expectation that the Secretary-General role should rotate to regions that have not held the position.
While the OACPS does not vote as a bloc at the UN, its meetings serve as crucial diplomatic platforms for member states to build relationships and align on international issues. Museveni’s deliberate language and his public backing for the OACPS headquarters relocation can be interpreted as gestures aimed at cultivating goodwill and solidarity across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
Such diplomatic maneuvers are common when seeking high-level international appointments, though they are rarely discussed openly. Otunnu’s late entry into the UN race means he has a narrow window for diplomatic engagement before the Security Council’s informal straw poll. The meeting with the OACPS leadership, therefore, represents a critical opportunity to strengthen Uganda’s diplomatic network and subtly advance its campaign for the top UN position. International observers note that such strategic engagements, even if not explicitly mentioning the UN race, carry significant diplomatic weight.