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Uganda’s former Deputy Prime Minister and retired General, Moses Ali, has died at the age of 87 after serving the country in military and political leadership for more than five decades.
According to family members and former Health Minister Capt. Mike Mukula, Ali died at Nakasero Hospital on Saturday.
A daughter of the late statesman, who asked not to be named because she was not authorised to speak for the family, said he passed away at about 4:25 pm.
She added that family members were gathering at the hospital before an official announcement.
A source in the Office of the Prime Minister also confirmed the death, saying Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja was expected to make an official announcement on behalf of the government.
Confirming the news on X, Capt. Mike Mukula described Ali as:
“A patriot, freedom fighter and statesman.”
Mukula praised the late general for his role in promoting peace, national unity and rebuilding Uganda.
He was born on April 5, 1939, in Meliaderi village, present-day Adjumani District.
Ali joined the Uganda Army in the 1960s and rose through the ranks.
After Idi Amin seized power in 1971, Ali became one of Amin’s top military commanders and served in several government positions, including Minister of Provincial Administration (Interior) and Minister of Finance.
Following Amin’s overthrow in 1979, Ali went into exile before leading the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), a rebel group that fought the second government of Milton Obote in the West Nile region.
After peace talks with President Yoweri Museveni’s government following 1986, the UNRF was integrated into the National Resistance Army (NRA), now known as the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF).
Ali was then commissioned as a Major General.
Over the years, he held several senior government positions, including Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Third Deputy Prime Minister, First Deputy Prime Minister, and later Second Deputy Prime Minister.
He was promoted to Lieutenant General in 2003 and full General in 2012 before retiring from active military service while remaining in politics.
Ali was widely recognised for helping restore peace in Uganda’s West Nile region by negotiating the integration of former rebels into the national army.
He also represented East Moyo County before later becoming the Member of Parliament for Adjumani West County.
In the 2026 general elections, Ali won re-election to represent Adjumani West as a National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate.
However, President Museveni did not reappoint him to Cabinet after the elections, ending more than 50 years of continuous government service.
His son, Ali Siraj, was later appointed Minister of State for Works.
Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn.
“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.” (Qur’an 2:156)It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I have received the sad news of the passing of my dear friend, distinguished patriot, freedom fighter, and… pic.twitter.com/KN0ACdIfYw
— Mukula (@mukulaa) July 18, 2026
