The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has joined the nation in paying final respects to the late Gen (Rtd) Hon. Moses Ali, the former Second Deputy Prime Minister and Adjumani West Member of Parliament, with national leaders honouring his decades of service to Uganda as a soldier, liberation fighter and statesman.
Representing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the burial ceremony, Vice President Her Excellency Maj Gen (Rtd) Jessica Alupo highlighted the historical struggles that shaped Uganda’s liberation and the values that guided the National Resistance Movement (NRM) from its formation.
In the President’s message, he recalled that he and other members of the youth movement opposed the Idi Amin regime from the outset, driven by principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy, which he said were lacking in Uganda’s leadership at the time.
President Museveni noted that the struggle was aimed at restoring freedom to Uganda while advancing the liberation of the African continent through cooperation with other leaders, including the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania. He said the vision was to promote regional integration through the East African Community and strengthen continental unity, efforts that later contributed to initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The President, in his message, condemned the historical marginalisation of the people of West Nile following the fall of the Idi Amin regime, emphasising that no Ugandan should suffer discrimination based on tribe, religion, region or gender.
He stressed that the mistakes of individuals should never be attributed to entire communities, adding that national unity remains critical for Uganda’s progress.
President Museveni paid tribute to Gen Moses Ali for championing government programmes that contributed to the transformation of West Nile, including electricity extension, road construction, expansion of ferry services, education and wealth creation initiatives.
“He made a tremendous contribution to Uganda and will forever be remembered for his distinguished service to the nation,” the President’s message concluded.
He encouraged communities in West Nile to embrace commercial agriculture through programmes such as the Four-Acre Model, Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga to create employment opportunities and improve household incomes.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa described Gen Moses Ali as a humble and approachable leader whose humanity transcended rank and office.
Tayebwa recalled an incident in Yumbe where the late General personally contacted his driver to pass on a message, saying the gesture demonstrated his simplicity and ability to relate with people from all walks of life regardless of their status.
The Deputy Speaker also delivered a condolence message from Mr Joel Botro, the United Nations Deputy Special Representative for Haiti and former UNHCR Country Representative in Uganda, who described Gen Moses Ali as a symbol of dedication, courage, determination and openness to diverse opinions.
Representing the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Huda Abason Oleru described the late General as a soldier, liberation fighter, statesman, mentor and father of the nation whose service to Uganda spanned more than five decades.
She said Gen Moses Ali served with courage, wisdom and unwavering patriotism from the liberation struggle to his time in Parliament and Cabinet, where he held several senior positions, including First Deputy Prime Minister and Second Deputy Prime Minister.
Hon. Oleru noted that even after retirement, Gen Moses Ali continued mentoring young officers and advising the government on matters of security, governance and national cohesion.
