Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has hailed the late former First Deputy Prime Minister and Adjumani West County Member of Parliament, Gen (Rtd) Moses Ali, as a distinguished statesman, patriot, mentor and one of Uganda’s most dedicated public servants.
Tayebwa said Gen Ali’s legacy of humility, courage and selfless service should continue to inspire current and future generations of leaders.
Gen. Ali died at about 4:00pm on Saturday at Nakasero Hospital after being admitted with unspecified ailments, according to President Museveni. His family said he had slipped into a coma before his death.
He was 87.
Speaking during Ali’s funeral at Paridi Stadium in Adjumani District on Wednesday, Tayebwa described the former minister as a father figure whose guidance shaped his own leadership journey.
“He was a distinguished statesman, patriot, mentor, and one of Uganda’s most dedicated public servants,” Tayebwa said.
He said Ali had been more than a political colleague, describing him as a mentor who guided him during his tenure as Government Chief Whip.
“In the political arena, Gen Moses Ali was more than a colleague to me; he was a father figure and mentor. When I was appointed Government Chief Whip in 2021, I had the privilege of serving under his guidance. Our offices were opposite each other, and I learnt important lessons from his wisdom, discipline, humility and unwavering commitment to public service,” he said.
Tayebwa said Ali’s constant advice was to remain humble, a principle he said would continue guiding him throughout his leadership career.
“His constant advice to me was always: ‘Be humble.’ Those words will remain with me throughout my leadership journey,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker conveyed condolences from Parliament and Speaker of Parliament to the bereaved family and thanked President Museveni for standing with the people of West Nile during the mourning period.
He said Ali dedicated his life to promoting national unity, championing the inclusion of the Nubi community and serving Uganda with distinction for decades.
“His legacy of patriotism, courage, humility and selfless service should continue to inspire both current and future generations of leaders,” Tayebwa said.
“May the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his noble deeds, and grant him the highest abode in Jannat al-Firdaus.”
At the time of his death, Ali had recently left active government after President Museveni omitted him from the Cabinet appointed in May 2026 on medical grounds.
His son, Siraji Musa Ali, was later appointed Minister of State for Works and Transport.
Born on April 5, 1939, in Atabo Parish, Pakele Division in present-day Adjumani District, Moses Ali lost both parents at the age of 11 and was raised by his maternal uncle, Ramadan Wani, who supported his education.
During his childhood, he worked in people’s gardens to help raise school fees before completing his primary education at Erepi Church of Uganda Primary School. He later joined Old Kampala Secondary School, where he obtained his General Certificate of Education.
He also studied the Quran at a Madarasa and worked as a teacher before joining the Uganda Army in 1968.
Gen Ali’s military career advanced after specialised training in Israel and the United Kingdom. He served as Officer in Charge of Training at the Uganda Paratrooper School before becoming its commander and attained the rank of Brigadier in 1974 during the Idi Amin regime.
During Amin’s government, he held senior ministerial positions, including Minister of Finance and Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, while remaining a key military figure.
After the fall of the Amin government in 1979, Gen Ali went into exile in Sudan before returning to lead the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), an armed group that fought successive governments during the early 1980s.
Following the National Resistance Movement’s rise to power in 1986, he became one of the first rebel leaders to sign a peace agreement with the new government.
The 1988 accord integrated UNRF fighters into the national army and helped restore stability in the West Nile region.
He later joined the NRM government and became one of President Museveni’s closest political allies.
Over the years, he served as Deputy Prime Minister, First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, and senior adviser on peace, security and northern Uganda affairs.
Gen Ali represented Adjumani West County in Parliament for several years and retained the constituency seat in January 2026.
Beyond politics and the military, he established Esia Mixed Farm after training in modern agriculture in Britain. His success in commercial farming earned him recognition as one of West Nile’s leading farmers.
President Museveni highlighted his agricultural contribution in a tribute following his death.
A devout Muslim, Gen. Ali often attributed his achievements to faith, discipline, honesty and hard work.
In 2024, he published The Odyssey of the Nubi: From Soldiers of the British Empire to Full Citizens in Uganda, documenting the history and contribution of Uganda’s Nubian community.
The publication coincided with the launch of the Nubian Heritage and Cultural Centre in Adjumani District.
Outside public office, Gen Ali supported community development through education initiatives, water projects, mosques and assistance to vulnerable families.
He frequently described education as his greatest investment and encouraged young people to pursue learning.
Representatives from the 15 districts of West Nile gathered at Paridi Stadium for a regional tribute before Gen Ali was laid to rest at Takwa Mosque Cemetery after final Janaza prayers alongside his wife, Sarah Ali, and two of his sons, Somar Ali and Yaser Ali.
He is survived by four wives and 30 children.
