Gen (Rtd) Moses Ali, a veteran military officer, former deputy prime minister and Member of Parliament for Adjumani West County, has died at the age of 87.
Ali died at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala on Saturday, July 18, 2026. President Yoweri Museveni announced that the former minister died at about 4:00 p.m., while former health minister Capt Mike Mukula placed the time at approximately 4:25 p.m.
Museveni described Ali as a long-serving soldier and political leader whose contribution extended beyond public office to commercial farming in the West Nile region.
“Gen Moses Ali has provided service to his country for a long time, as a soldier and a political leader,” Museveni said.
“In the West Nile region, he provided the good example of being a big modern farmer. We shall miss greatly his contribution.”
The President prayed for Ali’s soul to rest in eternal peace.
Official burial announced
Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda later announced that Museveni had granted Ali an official burial.
The National Organising Committee has begun consulting the family on funeral arrangements. A detailed burial programme is expected to be released after the consultations are completed.
Ali was born on April 5, 1939, in present-day Adjumani District. His public career stretched across more than five decades and included service in the military, Cabinet and Parliament.
He rose to prominence during Idi Amin’s government, serving in senior military and ministerial positions, including as minister of Finance and minister responsible for internal affairs.
Following Amin’s overthrow in 1979, Ali went into exile and later became leader of the Uganda National Rescue Front, which fought the second government of Milton Obote in the West Nile region.
He later reached an agreement with President Museveni’s government under which former UNRF fighters were integrated into the national army. Ali subsequently returned to government and became an influential figure in the National Resistance Movement administration.
Long Cabinet career
Ali served in several senior government positions after joining Museveni’s administration.
The Office of the Prime Minister records that he served as Third Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business from 2011 to 2016. He later served as First Deputy Prime Minister from 2016 to 2021.
From June 2021 until May 2026, he served as Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
His Cabinet service ended after Museveni announced the 2026–2031 Cabinet on May 26, leaving Ali out of the executive for the first time in many years. The Office of the Prime Minister said his departure ended more than 50 years of active public service.
He was replaced as Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business by Dr Crispus Kiyonga.
Despite leaving Cabinet, Ali remained active in elective politics.
He retained the Adjumani West County parliamentary seat on the National Resistance Movement ticket during the 2026 elections and took the oath of office as a member of the 12th Parliament in May.
Parliament’s official membership register listed him as the NRM representative for Adjumani West County as of June 11, 2026.
His military career included promotion to Lieutenant General in 2003 and full General in 2012 before his retirement from active military service.
Ali’s death brings to an end one of Uganda’s longest political careers, spanning the governments of Idi Amin, Milton Obote and Yoweri Museveni.
