For nearly six decades, Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali stood at the centre of Uganda’s turbulent political history, a soldier, negotiator and veteran politician whose journey moved from military struggle to national reconciliation.
As Parliament gathered in Kampala to honour the former First Deputy Prime Minister and Adjumani West MP, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni portrayed Ali as a rare figure who helped bridge Uganda’s divided past, describing him as a freedom fighter, peacemaker and champion of development.
Museveni recalled Ali’s complicated role during the era of former President Idi Amin, saying that although he initially served in Amin’s government after the 1971 coup, he later became uncomfortable with the regime’s violence and excesses.
The President said Ali’s decision to distance himself from Amin’s rule reflected a commitment to justice that went beyond holding political office.
Their paths later crossed during Uganda’s liberation struggles in the 1980s, when various armed groups sought a way out of years of conflict.
Museveni said Ali’s leadership helped prevent further confrontation as the Uganda National Rescue Front moved away from armed resistance during the advance on Kampala.
That moment, he said, marked the beginning of a relationship built on cooperation rather than rivalry.
Away from the battlefield, Ali became one of West Nile’s strongest advocates, pushing successive governments to improve roads, expand electricity access and support communities affected by years of conflict.
At Parliament, leaders from across Uganda’s political divide remembered him not only as a military figure but as a mentor and statesman.
Speaker Jacob Oboth, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi highlighted his long public service and his ability to command respect beyond party lines.
Known by many as the “Cock of West Nile”, Ali served in senior government positions and remained a member of Parliament for Adjumani West until his death.
His legacy, supporters say, lies not only in the offices he held, but in the peace-building efforts and regional development campaigns that defined his later years.
Gen. Moses Ali will be laid to rest in Adjumani District, where many of his supporters say his name will remain closely linked to the history of West Nile and Uganda’s search for stability.
