ʻUliti Uata

ʻUliti Uata (born 24 August 1936[1]) is a Tongan politician. He is a member of the Human Rights and Democracy Movement and the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.[2]

Biography

He was initially a businessman, running several businesses including "inter-islands ferries, general store, tourism, and others", until he entered politics and "divested himself" of his businesses so as to focus on his political career and on his family (he has ten children).[1] He is also the father of 12 children. He is a grandfather and a great-grandfather to more than 150 children. His wife, Luisa Mataele Uata, is a distinguished baker and successful businesswoman.

Uata was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga in 1975, and served as a People's Representative until 1980. After a break from politics, he contested the 1993 election and won the seat of Ha'apai. He has been re-elected in every subsequent election.[3]

In 2007, Uata was one of several pro-democracy MPs charged with sedition over speeches given before the 2006 Nuku'alofa riots.[4] The charges were dismissed in September 2009.[5]

Uata was re-elected for an eighth term in the 2010 election, for the new single-seat constituency of Haʻapai 13, and nominated to the post of Minister of Health on 25 January 2011, following ʻAkilisi Pohiva's resignation from that position.[6] In late June 2012, Uata -along with two other ministers- resigned from the Cabinet, so as to support a motion of no confidence tabled by his party (DPFI) against the government.[7] He was succeeded as Minister for Health by Lord Tuʻiʻafitu.[8]

References
  1. "Hon. ʻUliti Uata appointed as Minister for Health", Tongan government portal, 27 January 2011
  2. "MP ʻUliti Uata tipped as new Health Minister", Taimi Media Network, January 22, 2010
  3. Biography on the website of the Tongan Parliament
  4. "FIFTH TONGAN LAWMAKER CHARGED IN RIOT PROBE". Pacific Islands Report. 7 March 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  5. "Five acquitted on charges of seditious conspiracy in Tonga". RNZ. 14 September 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  6. "New Minister of Health", Matangi Tonga, 26 Jan 2011
  7. "Three Cabinet Ministers in Tonga resign ahead of confidence motion", Radio New Zealand International, 25 June 2012
  8. "PM's new Cabinet short of ministers", Matangi Tonga, 9 July 2012


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