Former Leader of the Opposition Winnie Kiiza has paid tribute to the late Gen. Moses Ali, describing him as a dedicated public servant whose sense of humour stood out even during heated parliamentary debates.
In a condolence message, Ms Kiiza extended her sympathies to Gen Ali’s family, friends and colleagues following the death of the veteran politician and former Second Deputy Prime Minister.
Ms Kiiza recalled working with Gen Ali during parliamentary oversight visits concerning the protection of Zoka Forest Reserve and efforts to resolve the long-running Apaa land conflict.
She also reflected on what she described as her final exchange with Gen. Ali on the floor of Parliament during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she criticised the quality of beans that the government had distributed as relief food.
According to Ms Kiiza, Gen Ali responded humorously, telling her that if she believed the beans were rotten, she should provide her own.
She said the exchange reflected his light-hearted personality despite the seriousness of issues under debate.
Ms Kiiza described Gen Ali as a humorous and approachable leader and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Gen Moses Ali died on Saturday at Nakasero Hospital, drawing tributes from leaders across the political divide who have praised his decades of public service and contribution to Uganda’s political history.
Born in Adjumani District in 1939, Moses Ali served as Finance Minister during Idi Amin’s government before later leading the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), a rebel movement that fought Milton Obote’s government after Amin’s overthrow.
He later reached a peace agreement with President Yoweri Museveni’s National Resistance Movement after it came to power in 1986, integrating his fighters into the national army and joining government in one of Uganda’s early post-conflict reconciliation arrangements.
Gen Ali went on to hold several senior government positions, including Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, before serving as First Deputy Prime Minister.
He also represented Adjumani West County in Parliament for decades, becoming one of Uganda’s longest-serving legislators.
Respected across political divides, he was regarded as a political patriarch of the West Nile sub-region and remained an influential figure in national affairs into his eighties.
Following a parliamentary sitting held in his honour, the cortege proceeded to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, where members of the public paid their final respects before his burial in Adjumani District.
