KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda's Parliament on Tuesday paid tribute to former Third Deputy Prime Minister and Adjumani West Member of Parliament , Gen. Moses Ali, whose body was brought to the House for an official state tribute before being taken to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for public viewing.
The solemn sitting brought together President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Members of Parliament, government officials, religious leaders, family members and mourners, who celebrated Ali's decades of service as a soldier, statesman and advocate for peace and development.
After the parliamentary tribute, the body was transported to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds where members of the public were given an opportunity to pay their last respects before it was airlifted to Adjumani District ahead of burial.
President Museveni described Gen. Ali as a leader who valued unity and cooperation above all else. Recounting their encounters during Uganda's liberation struggle, Museveni said they first met in Libya alongside other anti-government groups.
He recalled that the Libyan leadership had proposed that all Ugandan rebel groups unite into a single force to fight together. Museveni, however, preferred operating from different fronts while pursuing the same objective.
Despite those strategic differences, Museveni said Ali remained committed to cooperation, noting that Ali's forces did not engage the National Resistance Army (NRA) as it advanced towards Kampala, a move he described as the beginning of a lasting working relationship.
"He believed in dialogue rather than confrontation whenever possible," Museveni said.
The President also praised Ali for his unwavering commitment to the development of the West Nile sub-region, saying he consistently championed infrastructure projects and veterans' welfare.
"He was always pushing for the tarmacking of roads, electricity and the welfare of veterans. Roads have now been tarmacked up to Oraba, electricity has reached the region, and we are continuing with projects such as Adjumani–Moyo, Yumbe–Koboko, Nebbi to the DR Congo border, and Pakwach to Rhino Camp," Museveni said.
Summarizing Ali's legacy, Museveni described him as "a freedom fighter, a peacemaker and a development-oriented leader."
"That is the Moses Ali I knew. May his soul rest in eternal peace," the President said.
The parliamentary sitting, chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa (or the appropriate presiding officer if different), saw legislators from across the political divide praise Ali's contribution to national unity and public service.
Former Speaker and First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga hailed Ali's contribution to documenting the history of the Nubian people, saying his research preserved an important part of Uganda's heritage.
She said Ali extensively researched and documented the origins and history of Nubian communities, tracing their evolution from the 18th century and highlighting various Nubian groups, including Egyptian, Acholi and Langi Nubians, among others.
"His research was invaluable not only to Uganda but also to communities whose histories had long been marginalized," Kadaga said.
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She also remembered Ali as a calm and composed legislator who maintained his temperament even during heated parliamentary debates.
"Even during the most intense debates, Hon. Moses Ali remained calm. I would expect him to confront us afterwards, but he would simply leave the chamber and return the next day ready to continue serving," she recalled.
Kadaga further called on the government to compensate the people of West Nile for property and bank accounts that were confiscated or frozen during the Idi Amin era and the subsequent liberation war.
She also praised Ali's discipline and punctuality.
"Whenever I arrived at Cabinet meetings, he was already there," she said.
Kadaga concluded by urging government to correct historical injustices suffered by the people of West Nile.
The Acting President of the National Unity Platform (NUP), John Baptist Nambeshe, paid tribute to Ali's dedication to public service. He recalled working with Ali while serving as Chairperson of Bududa District, saying the veteran leader personally visited Bududa following devastating landslides to assess the extent of the disaster and recommend interventions.
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi described Ali as a leader who believed in the rule of law and national reconciliation. He said Ali demonstrated this by integrating his rebel forces into the National Resistance Army, contributing to national stability.
Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi, who once served as Ali's chairperson in the Makerere University Faculty of Law Muslim Union, described the late general as a lifelong learner whose pursuit of education continued well into old age.
"He was a practicing Muslim. One day I asked him why he had returned to school at such an advanced age. He told me, 'I want to die an educated man,'" Nkunyingi said.
He urged military officers and leaders to emulate Ali's commitment to continuous learning, saying education enables leaders to make informed decisions.
Following the national tribute, Gen. Ali's body was airlifted to Adjumani District in the West Nile sub-region.
He will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Abiricaku Village, Adjumani District, at the Taqwa Mosque Cemetery, where family members, friends, government officials and mourners are expected to gather for the final burial rites.
Gen. Moses Ali is remembered as one of Uganda's longest-serving political and military leaders, leaving behind a legacy defined by public service, peacebuilding, national reconciliation and advocacy for the development of the West Nile region.