Why Otunnu ‘resisted’ photo op with Museveni

2026-03-16 - 07:28

Former presidential candidate, Olara Otunnu has explained his initial hesitation to take a rare public photograph with President Yoweri Museveni in Gulu city on Saturday, saying the moment was unplanned and caught him by surprise. Otunnu, a former presidential candidate of Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) in the 2011 general elections and a long-time critic of Museveni’s administration, appeared hesitant before eventually joining the President and retired chief justice Alfonse Chigamoy Owiny-Dollo for the photograph at Kaunda Parade Grounds during homecoming celebrations for Owiny-Dollo. Otunnu has previously been outspoken in his criticism of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government and President Museveni. In the past, he has called for investigations into alleged atrocities committed by the National Resistance Army (NRA) in the Luwero Triangle and northern Uganda during the conflict that brought the government to power in 1986. The unexpected interaction between Museveni and Otunnu drew loud applause from residents who had gathered for the celebrations, with many witnessing the two men shake hands and exchange words publicly. However, behind the scenes, several local leaders spent a few minutes persuading Otunnu to return to the podium for the photograph alongside the President and Owiny-Dollo. “Actually, this is not the first time the President and I have shaken hands,” Otunnu said in an exclusive interview on Sunday. “But the photograph with the three of us was not pre-arranged. Usually these things are organised ahead of time, but this one was spontaneous, and I did not know about it,” said Otunnu. He explained that his name was initially called during a general group photograph, after which he returned to his seat before organisers approached him again, requesting that he join the President and Owiny-Dollo for a separate photo. Otunnu said that although the moment appeared unusual to many Ugandans, he and Museveni had interacted on several occasions in the past. He cited encounters during the consecration of Northern Uganda Diocese bishop emeritus Rt Rev Johnson Gakumba, as well as during the 2011 centenary celebrations of Gulu Archdiocese and at various international meetings when he served at the United Nations. A former UN under-secretary-general and special representative for children and armed conflict, Otunnu returned to Uganda in August 2009 after more than two decades abroad. Despite their long-standing political differences, Otunnu said he welcomed Museveni’s decision to support the Rocco Paco Initiative, a community revival programme aimed at rebuilding the social and economic fabric of the Acholi sub-region. “We welcome the President’s acceptance of Rocco Paco because the initiative welcomes all persons of goodwill who share the vision of restoring and rebuilding this society,” Otunnu said. However, he stressed that the real test would be whether the government backs the commitment with concrete support for the programme. The Rocco Paco initiative, founded in 2024, is being championed by Owiny-Dollo and Otunnu as a grassroots effort to revive livelihoods and rebuild communities in northern Uganda after decades of conflict and social disruption. During his speech, Museveni welcomed the initiative, saying he was pleased that it had brought Owiny-Dollo and Otunnu onto the same page on issues of household wealth creation. “So I am happy that his Lordship Owiny-Dollo has seen this, and I was thinking he was in convergence on this matter. And he has brought along Olara Otunnu also, because Olara Otunnu sometimes is in another direction, but now he is speaking the same language,” Museveni said. The President encouraged Owiny-Dollo to continue championing the programme and pledged government support, noting that it aligns with the wealth creation agenda promoted by the ruling National Resistance Movement. However, veteran journalist and political analyst Alex Okoya cautioned against interpreting the photo moment as a political shift by Otunnu. Okoya said Otunnu’s hesitation before joining the photograph suggested he remains firm in his political stance. “The photo moment does not mean Otunnu has changed course,” Okoya said. “He is a close friend of Justice Owiny-Dollo, but his conscience remains clear,” said Okoya. Okoya added that Otunnu’s caution also reflects cultural considerations and his desire to maintain personal integrity. “In Acholi tradition, there are certain things you do not share with someone you have serious issues with. Otunnu understands what he is doing. He is an exposed person, and he is also trying to protect his integrity,” Okoya said.