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).
His wife, Luisa Mataele Uata, is a distinguished baker and successful businesswoman.
[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.