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Veteran politician Gen Moses Ali has taken oath to represent Adjumani West County in the 12th parliament, extending a political career that has spanned several decades and multiple governments.Ali, 87, was born on April 5, 1939, in Adjumani district and was the oldest member of the recently dissolved cabinet, where he served as second deputy prime minister and deputy leader of government business from 2021 to 2026.Unlike other members of parliament who have taken their oaths at parliament’s main entrance in public ceremonies, Ali’s swearing-in was conducted in a subdued event witnessed by the clerk to parliament, Adolf Mwesige.Due to his widely documented health challenges, Ali was reportedly driven discreetly through parliament’s basement entrance before being assisted by security aides into the chamber with minimal public attention and media presence.Ali’s political and military career mirrors much of Uganda’s turbulent post-independence history. A trained lawyer who studied at Makerere University and later received military training in Israel and the United Kingdom, Ali rose to prominence during the Idi Amin regime, where he served as minister of Finance and later minister of Interior.However, he later fell out with Amin’s government and fled into exile following the collapse of the regime in 1979. Ali subsequently led the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), one of the rebel groups operating in West Nile, before signing a peace agreement with President Yoweri Museveni’s government in 1986 and integrating his fighters into the national army.Over the years, he has held several senior government positions, including portfolios in tourism, trade and internal affairs, in addition to serving multiple terms as deputy prime minister.His longevity in public service has made him one of the most influential political figures from the West Nile sub-region and a prominent link between Uganda’s liberation struggles and the current political establishment.Ali’s swearing-in fulfills the constitutional requirement under Article 81(4) and the Fourth Schedule of the 1995 Constitution, formally enabling him to participate in the business of the 12th parliament.Supporters describe Ali as a valuable repository of institutional memory, arguing that his experience in security, refugee affairs and northern Uganda’s development remains relevant.Critics, however, view his continued presence in frontline politics as symbolic of Uganda’s slow pace of generational transition, particularly in a country with one of the world’s youngest populations.Few political figures in Africa have occupied as many roles across different eras as Ali, ranging from military officer and cabinet minister to rebel commander, peace negotiator and senior statesman while remaining influential within government.His swearing-in also sparked intense debate on social media, with discussions centering on age, health and leadership renewal in Uganda’s politics.Supporters from Adjumani and the wider West Nile region welcomed his return to parliament, arguing that his experience and regional influence remain important for continuity and representation.Others, however, raised concern about his visible frailty after videos and photographs from recent political activities circulated online showing him being assisted during public appearances.Some critics questioned his ability to effectively serve another parliamentary term, while others argued that Uganda’s political system continues to rely heavily on liberation-era leaders at the expense of younger generations.
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, https://observer.ug/news/gen-moses-ali-discreetly-sworn-in-as-adjumani-west-mp/
