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. In 2007, Uata was one of several pro-democracy MPs charged with
sedition over speeches given before the
2006 Nuku'alofa riots. The charges were dismissed in September 2009. 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. 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. He was succeeded as Minister for Health by
Lord Tuʻiʻafitu. ==References==