Gen. Moses Ali was one of Uganda’s longest-serving military officers and politicians, widely regarded as a key figure in the country’s post-independence history. He died on 18 July 2026 at the age of 87 after decades of service in the military and government.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Gen. Moses Ali
- Date of Birth: 5 April 1939
- Nationality: Ugandan
- Marital Status: Married
- Constituency: Adjumani West County, Adjumani District
- Political Party: National Resistance Movement (NRM)
Education
- Attended Erepi Church of Uganda Primary School and Church of Uganda Junior Secondary School.
- Studied at Old Kampala Secondary School.
- Received military training in Israel, including Officer Cadet, Paratrooper Instructor and Company Commanders’ courses.
- Attended the Staff College in Camberley, United Kingdom.
- Earned a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University, a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, and a Master’s degree in Intelligence Studies from American Military University.
Military Career
- Joined the Uganda Army in the 1960s.
- Rose through the ranks from Second Lieutenant to Four-Star General.
- Served as Commander of the Uganda Paratrooper School.
- Held senior military and government positions during the 1970s before later leading the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), which eventually signed a peace agreement with the National Resistance Movement government.
Political Career Following the integration of the UNRF into government, Moses Ali became one of Uganda’s most influential cabinet ministers. Over the years, he served in several key portfolios, including:
- Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports.
- Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
- Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry.
- Minister of Internal Affairs.
- Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees.
- First and later Second Deputy Prime Minister at different periods of his career.
- Member of Parliament for East Moyo and later Adjumani West County, a seat he held for many years.
Legacy Gen. Moses Ali was respected as a veteran statesman, freedom fighter and peace negotiator. He played a significant role in integrating former rebel groups into national politics and was widely recognised for his contributions to northern Uganda’s stability, refugee affairs and national reconciliation. Throughout his career, he remained one of Uganda’s longest-serving cabinet ministers and legislators.
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