President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed the late Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali as a freedom fighter, peacemaker and development champion, saying his contribution to Uganda’s liberation, reconciliation and socio-economic transformation will remain a lasting legacy.
The President made the remarks on Tuesday during a special parliamentary sitting convened to honour the former Second Deputy Prime Minister and Adjumani West Member of Parliament, who died on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala aged 87.
Before addressing Parliament, Museveni laid a wreath on Gen. Moses Ali’s casket and offered condolences to the bereaved family. The ceremony was attended by Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth-Oboth, Members of Parliament, government officials and other dignitaries.
Reflecting on the late statesman’s political journey, Museveni said although Gen. Moses Ali had participated in the 1971 military coup that brought Idi Amin to power, he later became disillusioned by the regime’s human rights abuses.
“The late Gen. Moses Ali was a lover of freedom. I came to know this because although he had been with Idi Amin in the coup of 1971, I later heard that Moses Ali was not happy with Idi Amin killing people,” Museveni said.
The President noted that Gen. Moses Ali’s opposition to Amin’s excesses eventually resulted in his demotion and exile after the regime fell in 1979. He added that the veteran politician later joined efforts by various liberation groups to end Amin’s dictatorship.
“I was the first man in Uganda to oppose Idi Amin. I’m here, and I’m not dead,” Museveni said.
Museveni also credited the late general for embracing dialogue and reconciliation during Uganda’s turbulent post-1970s period, describing him as a key figure in promoting peace and national stability.
Beyond his contribution to peace, the President commended Gen. Moses Ali for championing infrastructure development in the West Nile sub-region, highlighting his efforts to lobby for tarmac roads, electricity expansion and other public investments.
He urged leaders from the region to honour the late statesman’s legacy by prioritising household wealth creation, saying economic empowerment remains central to sustainable development.
Summarising Gen. Moses Ali’s legacy, Museveni said he would be remembered for three defining attributes.
“I came here to tell you the positive attributes I saw in Gen. Moses Ali: number one, a freedom fighter; number two, a peacemaker; and number three, a development champion,” the President said.
He extended condolences to the bereaved family, the people of West Nile and the nation, praying for the eternal repose of Gen. Moses Ali’s soul.
Gen. Moses Ali served Uganda in both military and civilian leadership for more than five decades, holding several senior government positions, including that of Second Deputy Prime Minister. He leaves behind a legacy of public service, national unity and regional development.
