The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | URN | Gen. Moses Ali has taken oaths to represent Adjumani West County in the 12th Parliament. At the age of 37, Ali will most likely be the oldest member of Parliament in a Parliament dominated by a younger generation of leaders, some of whom were born after 1986.
Moses Ali has also been one of the oldest cabinet Ministers in the last cabinet. He has been serving as Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament from 2021 to 2026.
While most MPS who have so far taken the two oaths were sworn in at the main entrance to Parliament, Ali’s oaths were administered in a low-key event witnessed by the Clark to Parliament , Adolf Mwesige and one of the female clerks at Parliament.
Due to his well-documented health challenges, the 87-year-old was driven discreetly into Parliament’s basement, supported bysecurity aides, and escorted to the chamber with minimal public and media fanfare. Born on April 5, 1939, in Adjumani District, Moses Ali’s remarkable journey mirrors Uganda’s turbulent post-independence saga.
A trained lawyer with a Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University and military credentials from Israel and the UK, he rose through the ranks under Idi Amin, serving as Minister of Finance and Interior before falling out with the regime and fleeing into exile after its 1979 collapse.
He later led the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), negotiated peace with Yoweri Museveni’s government in 1986, and integrated his forces into the national army.
Over four decades, Ali has held key portfolios in Tourism, Trade, Internal Affairs, and multiple Deputy Prime Minister roles, becoming a steadfast pillar of the West Nile region and a living link to Uganda’s liberation and reconciliation eras.
His swearing-in fulfills the constitutional mandate under Article 81(4) and the Fourth Schedule of the 1995 Constitution, enabling him to fully participate in the 12th Parliament’s deliberations on pressing issues like youth unemployment, economic recovery, public debt, governance reforms, and regional security.
Supporters hail Ali as a vital “repository of institutional memory,” whose insights on security, refugees, and northern development remain invaluable. Critics, however, see his continued prominence as emblematic of Uganda’s sluggish generational transition, especially poignant in a nation with one of the world’s youngest populations.
Few figures in African politics have navigated such diverse roles, military officer, cabinet minister, rebel commander, peace broker, and senior statesman, across multiple eras while retaining influence at the apex of power. The event, and Ali’s broader political longevity, triggered lively and polarized discussions online, echoing long-standing debates over age, health, and leadership renewal.
Many in Adjumani and the West Nile celebrated his return, emphasizing experience and regional representation. Posts congratulated him with phrases like “Our elder Gen. Moses Ali took his oath” and highlighted his contributions. Supporters argue that his resilience and history make him essential for continuity and stability.
Widespread concern focused on his visible frailty. Videos and photos from nominations, campaigns, and public appearances (including moments of assistance needed) went viral, with comments questioning his capacity: “At what time is Gen. Moses Ali swearing in?” and skepticism about closed-chamber proceedings.
At this point, the problem is not Museveni but the Ugandan people,” with users noting Ali is older than Museveni and joking about “Uganda Bado wako 1970” (still stuck in the 1970s).
Others lamented “Blind leader shame to Africa leaders” and called for rest, citing health reports from 2022–2025 where he lost speech ability, received treatment in India, and appeared frail during the 2025 primaries.
Ali’s re-election (with a strong majority) and swearing-in have crystallized Uganda’s tension between honoring liberation-era veterans and demands for fresh, energetic leadership
