Uganda is mourning its former Second Deputy Prime Minister, General Moses Ali, who died aged 87 while receiving treatment at the Nakasero Hospital in Uganda's capital Kampala on Saturday.
In a statement on X network on Saturday, President Yoweri Museveni said: "It is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of our brother Gen. Moses Ali. He died today at Nakasero Hospital, at 1600 hours. Gen. Moses Ali has provided service to his country for a long time, as a soldier and a political leader. In the West Nile region, he provided the good example of being a big modern farmer. We shall miss greatly his contribution. May the Almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace."
General Ali had been admitted to hospital earlier this week, and his family gathered at the facility before his passing.
Ali was a long-serving government official, and for the first time in decades, his name was omitted from President Museveni's cabinet line-up on May 26, 2026 following the head of state's re-election for a seventh term in January.
Lengthy period in public service
Until May, Ali had been active in the public service for more than 50 years, serving as the second deputy prime minister and deputy leader of government business in parliament from June 2021 to May 2026.
"Throughout his tenure, he strengthened citizen engagement, supported vulnerable groups, and fostered partnerships with actors in the development space, directly contributing to socio-economic transformation," the Office of Uganda's Prime Minister said in a statement dated May 31, 2026.
Ali was the member of parliament for Adjumani West Constituency in northwestern Uganda.
In Uganda's January 2026 general election, the veteran lawmaker successfully sought re-election on the ruling National Resistance Movement party (NRM), led by President Museveni.
Teacher, soldier, politician
Ali was born in April 1939 in northwestern Uganda. He briefly worked as a teacher in the 1960s.
From 1968 to 1972, he pursued military training abroad.
Ali was commissioned as second lieutenant in Uganda in 1969, and quickly promoted to major and colonel.
In 1973, Uganda's then-President Idi Amin appointed him provincial administration minister, marking the start of a lengthy period in government.
Exile
In 1974, Amin promoted Ali to the rank of brigadier, and appointed him finance minister in 1975. Amin, who had awarded several military medals to Ali, was overthrown in 1979.
Ali, thereafter, went into exile, but founded Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), which had its own fighters.
UNRF was largely opposed to the new government of Milton Obote, who Amin had previously overthrown in 1971.
Obote was ousted a second time in 1985 by the military. In 1986, the then-government of General Tito Okello was toppled, and Museveni succeeded Okello as president.
Museveni ties
Ali had integrated his fighters with Museveni's. A few months after Museveni seized power, Ali was appointed youth and culture minister, marking the start of a lengthy tenure in President Museveni's government.
In subsequent years, he served in the tourism ministerial docket, internal affairs, and disaster preparedness, among others. He also served as Uganda's deputy prime minister for a lengthy period.
In 1996, Ali was elected member of parliament for his home area in Adjumani, securing re-election in 2001.
In 2003, President Museveni elevated Ali's military rank to lieutenant general.
Four-star general
In 2006, Ali lost parliamentary elections. He, however, reclaimed the seat in 2011, and Museveni appointed him third deputy prime minister, later promoting him to the second deputy prime minister.
In 2012, Museveni elevated Ali to four-star general, though Aronda Nyakairima, also a four-star general, was Uganda's then-chief of defence forces.
Ali held a bachelor's degree in law with honours from Makerere University. He graduated in 2007.
He also held a master's degree in intelligence studies from American Military University.
Ali's wife, Sarah, passed away in January 2024 after an illness.
