ʻUliti Uata
Tongan politician (born 1936)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
ʻUliti Uata | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Health | |
| In office 25 January 2011 – 25 June 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō |
| Preceded by | ʻAkilisi Pōhiva |
| Succeeded by | Tonga Tuʻiʻafitu |
| Member of the Tongan Parliament for Haʻapai 13 | |
| In office 25 November 2010 – 27 November 2014 | |
| Preceded by | none (seat created) |
| Succeeded by | Veivosa Taka |
| Member of Parliament for Haʻapai | |
| In office 4 February 1993 – 25 November 2010 | |
| Succeeded by | none (seat disestablished) |
| In office 1975–1980 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 August 1936 |
| Party | Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands |
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.[1] His wife, Luisa Mataele Uata, is a distinguished baker and successful businesswoman. His grandson is American former professional football player Loni Fangupo.[3]
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.[4]
In 2007, Uata was one of several pro-democracy MPs charged with sedition over speeches given before the 2006 Nuku'alofa riots.[5] The charges were dismissed in September 2009.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8] He was succeeded as Minister for Health by Lord Tuʻiʻafitu.[9]