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]
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]
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