President Museveni leads tributes to late ex-minister Gen Moses Ali

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 DEATH 

President Yoweri Museveni has led tributes to former Second Deputy Prime Minister and veteran parliamentarian, Gen Moses Ali, who died at the age of 87 at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala on Saturday (July 18).

Announced Ali's death on social media platform X, Museveni said the long-serving politician will  be "greatly missed".

"It is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of our brother Gen. Moses Ali. He died today at Nakasero Hospital, at 1600 hours. Gen Moses Ali has provided service to his country for a long time, as a soldier and a political leader. 

"In the West Nile region, he provided the good example of being a big modern farmer. We shall miss greatly his contribution.  May the Almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace," said Museveni.

The long-serving Adjumani West Constituency MP was admitted at Nakasero Hospital, but with the details of his condition and the nature of his illness not immediately known.

His close friend, Capt. Mike Mukula, announced Ali's death in a post on social media platform X.

"It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I have received the sad news of the passing of my dear friend, distinguished patriot, freedom fighter, and statesman, General Moses Ali, who departed this life today at 4:25 p.m. at Nakasero Hospital," wrote Mukula.

He went on to pay tribute to a "courageous soldier" and a wise, "astute leader".

"General Moses Ali devoted his life to the service of Uganda. His contribution to the struggle for peace, national unity, stability, and reconstruction will forever remain engraved in the history of our nation.

"He was a courageous soldier, an astute leader, and an elder statesman whose wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to Uganda inspired generations of leaders and citizens alike," said Mukula.

The renowned entrepreneur and politician had previously said he was in touch with the family monitoring Ali's health.

"On behalf of my family and in my own name, I extend my heartfelt condolences to His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Government and people of the Republic of Uganda, the bereaved family of General Moses Ali, the people of Adjumani District, the entire West Nile sub-region, and all Ugandans who mourn this immense national loss," said Mukula.

"May we find comfort in the remarkable legacy he leaves behind a legacy of patriotism, sacrifice, courage, and dedicated public service. His life reminds us that true greatness is measured not by the offices one occupies, but by the lives one touches and the nation one helps to build.

"As we mourn his passing, let us also celebrate a life lived with honour, duty, and distinction. Uganda has lost one of her finest sons, but his enduring legacy will continue to inspire future generations to serve with integrity, selflessness, and unwavering love for country."

Dr Alfred Berliner Anyama, former Gulu University guild president, paid tribute the late politician.

"Thank you,  Gen (Rtd) Moses Ali, for  the 50 (plus) years of dedicated service to Uganda. Your long and distinguished public service leaves a lasting mark on our nation’s history," he wrote.

"My heartfelt condolences to your family, the people of Adjumani, the Ma'di sub-region, the people of West Nile and all Ugandans mourning your passing."

Gen. Moses Ali at a glance

Ali was born on April 5, 1939 to Muhammad Ali and Veronica Porsche Ali in Adjumani district.

He attended school at Erepi Church of Uganda and then Old Kampala Senior Secondary School.

Ali underwent military training in Israel and in the United Kingdom.

He also studied law at Makerere University and later at the University of Wolverhampton 2007.

His military career began in 1968 when he joined the Uganda Army as a cadet officer. The following year, as a commissioned 2nd lieutenant, he was in charge of training at Uganda Paratrooper School.

In 1971, as a major, he was the commander of the Paratrooper School.

Then as a colonel, he took part in the 1971 coup that brought Idi Amin into power.

Ali rose through the ranks in subsequent years: from brigadier to lieutenant general, before being promoted to a four-star general in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) in 2012.

His political journey started under the regime of Idi Amin in the 1970s, serving as Minister of Provincial Administration/Interior.

As finance minister in 1973, Ali handled foreign exchange during the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda. He was later dropped as finance minister in 1978.

After the fall of Amin in 1979, Ali fled to neighbouring Sudan. He led the Uganda National Rescue Front UNRF rebels in West Nile during the 1980s.

In November 1986, he signed a peace agreement with President Yoweri Museveni, who was only months into his regime.

UNRF fighters integrated into UPDF at Arua airfield and Ali was given the rank of major general.

Under Museveni's regime, Ali has served as a Member of Parliament since 1996.

He also held different ministerial portfolios, including tourism, trade & industry, internal affairs, finance, relief/disaster preparedness, youth culture & sports.

After losing his parliamentary seat and ministerial position in 2001, Ali bounced back in 2011, returning as MP for Moyo County in Adjumani, then East Moyo.

He served both as First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament and Second Deputy Prime Minister between 2016 and 2026, when he was dropped from the Cabinet.

In later years, Ali developed health challenges, which led to treatment in Turkey 2021 and routine reviews in Germany. He also developed speech impairment.

In 2025, at the age of 86, he picked nomination forms to contest in the Adjumani West parliamentary race, with his camp saying it would be his last election.