One of Uganda’s most enduring and military figure who career traversed colonial rule, Iddi Amin’s regime, armed rebellion and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has died at 87 years of age.
He has been a general of all time and had only in January retained his seat in Adjumani west county as the Member of Parliament.
His family say that he was admitted with unspecified ailments and had gone into a comma before his death.
It’s with profound sorrow and heavy heart that I have received the sad news of the passing of my dear friend, distinguished patriot, freedom fighter and statesmen, Gen Moses Ali who departed his life today at 4:25pm at Nakasero Hospital, Capt. Mike Mukula-Former NRM national vice chairperson for Eastern Uganda.
Gen Moses Ali’s death brings a close to a remarkable journey of a man who occupied almost every major role in Uganda’s military and political evolution.
He started from soldier and cabinet minister to rebel leader, peace negotiator, deputy prime minister and elder statesman.
At the time of his death, Ali had only recently left active government after President Museveni, in May 2026, wiped him from the cabinet on medical grounds.
His son, Siraj Musa Ali, was subsequently appointed Minister of State for Works and Transport, a move widely viewed as recognition of the family’s long service to the NRM government.
Born on April 5, 1939, in Atabo parish, Pakele Division in Adjumani District, he started his career as a teacher before joining the Uganda Army in 1968.
He rose rapidly under the regime of Idi Amin Dada, training in Israel and the UK to become a brigadier by 1974.
When Idi Amin seized power in January 1971, Ali became one of the new regime’s most influential military and political figure.
following Amin’s fall in 1979, Ali went into exile in Sudan, rather that retreat from politics, he returned to armed struggle.
He found the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), one of several rebel movements opposing successive governments in Kampala during early 1980s.
Some of the offices he held;
- Deputy Prime Minister;
- First Deputy Prime Minister;
- Minister for Relief, Dister Preparedness and Refugees;
- Minister in the Office of the prime Minister; and
- Senior adviser on peace, security and northern Uganda affairs.
Throughout his time in government, Ali remained deeply involved in the efforts to consolidate peace in northern Uganda and West Nile.
He also well represented Adjumani West in Parliament for many years, maintaining a strong political base in the West Nile sub-region.
He will remain forever remembered for the strong and deliberate love for his country, district of origin and all people close to him. The good ideas, freedom fights and determined general of all time and stateman.
