ADJUMANI, Uganda — The campaign team for Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and Adjumani West Constituency Member of Parliament (MP), Gen Moses Ali, has vehemently dismissed calls for him to step down from elective politics. Officials from his camp assert that Gen Moses Ali is fully capable of seeking re-election in 2026 to Parliament, aiming to complete several unfulfilled tasks for his constituents.
Since making headlines on June 17, when he was nominated from inside his car to contest in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries, the 86-year-old politician has become a focal point of public discussion. Concerns regarding his age and apparent health complications have led many to question his continued presence in politics.
Immediately following his nomination, Gen. Ali’s campaign hit the ground running. He even held a thanksgiving ceremony last Thursday, where he reportedly attempted some dance moves, seemingly to demonstrate his physical vigor.
Mr. Gabu Amacha, Gen. Moses Ali’s political assistant and chairperson of his campaign task force, told Vivid Voice News that, contrary to public perception, his boss is fit and is actively seeking re-election to represent the people of Adjumani.
“He is the longest-serving minister in the history of Uganda. He first joined Cabinet in 1973 as the minister for Provincial Administration and subsequently held various portfolios including that of Finance; Youth; Culture and Sports; Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities; Trade and Industry; Internal Affairs; Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, among others,” Mr. Amacha stated.
He further emphasized his principal’s extensive career, adding: “His service in government spans from 1968 when he joined the Uganda Army as a cadet officer and rose up to the rank of a four-star General.”
Mr. Amacha discounted concerns over Gen. Ali’s health, citing his extensive and enduring career as both a military officer and a politician. Should he be re-elected, Mr. Gabu outlined Gen. Ali’s priorities, which include securing municipality status for Adjumani Town Council, overseeing several infrastructure projects like local government roads and health facilities, and strengthening the implementation of government programs. It is notable that Gen. Ali has won all but one (2006) parliamentary races between 2001 and 2021.
His campaign team maintains that this upcoming election, for the 2026 to 2031 term, will be his last. However, during several campaign stops, Gen. Ali has either not appeared in person—represented instead by his campaign task force—or has addressed the electorate through his political assistant.
Residents of Adjumani have expressed mixed reactions regarding the 86-year-old’s bid for re-election in the NRM primary race, which features four contenders. The contest appears tight between Gen. Ali and former district LC5 chairperson Nixon Owole.
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Other candidates in the race include Santos Adrawa and Moses Kibrai. Mr. Abdul Amanya, a resident of Adjumani, voiced his support: “It’s on record that he has been helping the people of Madi Sub-region. His experience will greatly help to transform our region.”
Conversely, Ms. Margret Joan, another resident, offered a different perspective: “He is now old, so we need him to rest at home as a hero other than stressing himself; better still, the government can give him a political appointment without being an MP.”
Who is General Moses Ali?
Born on April 5, 1939, Gen. Moses Ali is a pivotal figure in Uganda’s military and political history. He began his military career at a young age, undergoing advanced training in Israel and the UK, and rapidly ascended through the ranks, from 2nd Lieutenant in 1969 to Brigadier by 1974.
He served as Minister of Interior and later Finance under Idi Amin’s regime but subsequently fell out of favor and lost his military privileges.
Following Amin’s overthrow in 1979, Ali went into exile and later led the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) rebel group during the 1980s. In 1986, he reconciled with President Museveni, integrating his fighters into the national army and earning the rank of Major General.
His distinguished military career saw further promotions to Lieutenant General in 2003 and to full General in 2012.
