Uganda’s veteran statesman, retired military officer and former Second Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Moses Ali, has died at the age of 87, bringing to a close a public service career that spanned more than five decades.
Gen. Ali passed away on Friday at Nakasero Hospital at 4:25 p.m., according to former NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, Capt. Mike Mukula, who announced the news.
“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, Gen. Moses Ali, who departed this life today at 4:25 p.m. at Nakasero Hospital,” Mukula said.
He described the late leader as a committed patriot whose contribution to Uganda’s peace, unity and national development would be remembered for generations.
“He devoted his life to the service of Uganda. 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,” Mukula added.
Born in 1939 in Atabo Parish, Pakele Division, Adjumani District, Moses Ali began his career as a teacher before joining the Uganda Army in 1968. After military training in Israel and the United Kingdom, he rose rapidly through the ranks during the Idi Amin administration, attaining the rank of Brigadier in 1974.
He held several senior government positions during the 1970s, including Minister of Provincial Administration, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Minister of Finance.
Following the fall of Idi Amin’s government in 1979, Gen. Ali fled into exile in Sudan, where he later founded the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), a rebel movement that operated mainly in the West Nile sub-region.
The UNRF signed a peace agreement with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government in 1986, enabling Gen. Ali to return to national politics.
He was first elected Member of Parliament for East Moyo (now Adjumani West) in 2001 and successfully retained the seat in every subsequent election. Earlier this year, he was re-elected to represent Adjumani West in the 12th Parliament.
Throughout his political career, Gen. Ali served in several Cabinet positions, including Minister of Tourism, Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, and Second Deputy Prime Minister. He was dropped from Cabinet during the most recent reshuffle earlier this year.
Widely known as “The Cock of West Nile,” Gen. Ali was regarded as one of the region’s most influential political figures, admired for his resilience, political longevity, and role in promoting peace and stability.
At the time of his death, he had dedicated more than five decades to public service and had recently been sworn in as Member of Parliament for Adjumani West following his re-election in 2026.
Details of funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family and government.
