The body of former Second Deputy Prime Minister and Adjumani West MP Gen (Rtd) Moses Ali arrived at Openzinzi Airfield in Adjumani District on Tuesday afternoon, marking the beginning of his final journey home.
The casket arrived at 3:53pm and was received by relatives, friends, mourners, local leaders, government officials and security personnel who had gathered to pay their last respects to the veteran military officer and politician.
Earlier in the day, at about 1pm, a military funeral convoy comprising a hearse draped in the Ugandan flag and escorted by a Military Police patrol vehicle arrived at the airfield to prepare for the reception of the body.
Military personnel erected tents and completed ceremonial arrangements ahead of the arrival.
At about 4:12pm, the body departed Openzinzi Airfield for Gen Ali's home in Abiricaku Village, Adjumani Town Council, where hundreds of mourners had assembled for a night vigil.
Speaking at the airfield, the North West Nile Regional Police Commander, Senior Superintendent of Police Joseph Mwesigwa, described Gen. Ali as a patriot and peacemaker whose death leaves a significant void.
"The country has lost a patriot and a peacemaker. His passing has created darkness in the country. We thank God for the life he lived, and his legacy will continue," Mwesigwa said.
Vicky Opia, one of the mourners, described the late general as a peace-loving leader whose contribution helped shape the stability Uganda enjoys today.
"Gen. Moses Ali was a peace-loving person who contributed to the peace that the country is enjoying today. I urge the government to fulfil what Gen Moses Ali highlighted in his manifesto during the recently concluded general elections," Opia said.
Former Adjumani District LC5 chairperson Nixon Owole, who also attended the reception, remembered Gen. Ali as a courageous and forgiving leader.
"Gen Moses Ali was a courageous and forgiving leader. He mentored many people, and I believe he lived a fulfilled life. His contribution to the people and the country will remain in our memories," Owole said.
Adjumani Resident District Commissioner Swaib Toko hailed the late statesman as an icon whose contribution to Uganda's development would endure for generations.
He said Gen Ali played a key role in lobbying for major development projects across the West Nile sub-region to improve service delivery.
"Gen Moses Ali is an icon in Uganda. He contributed greatly to the development of this country and lobbied for a number of development projects across West Nile to enhance service delivery," Toko said.
Toko urged the government to continue implementing development initiatives that Gen. Ali championed during his lifetime.
The arrival of the body marks the start of the final funeral rites for the veteran politician, with mourners expected to hold an overnight vigil at his home in Abiricaku Village.
Funeral prayers will be held at Paridi Stadium on Wednesday before Gen Ali is laid to rest at Taqwa Mosque Cemetery in Abiricaku Village, Adjumani Town Council.
Gen. Ali served Uganda in several military and political capacities over a public career spanning decades and is widely remembered for his role in promoting peace and development in West Nile and across the country.
