- Gen Moses Ali, 86, seeks re-election as Adjumani West MP despite public criticism over age and health.
- His team says he’s fit and still has unfinished development projects to complete.
- Supporters and critics in Adjumani remain divided ahead of NRM primaries.
- Gen Ali’s campaign has relied heavily on his political assistant and team due to limited public appearances.
The team behind Uganda’s Second Deputy Prime Minister and long-serving Adjumani West MP, Gen Moses Ali, has come out strongly to defend his decision to seek re-election, dismissing public calls for his retirement as baseless.
Gen Ali, who is 86 years old, has faced mounting pressure from a section of Ugandans questioning his age, health, and ability to actively represent constituents. The criticism grew louder after he was nominated from inside his car on June 17 for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries.
But his political assistant and campaign task force chair, Mr Gabu Amacha, insists that Gen Ali remains mentally and physically sharp enough to complete “unfinished business” in Parliament.
“He is the longest-serving minister in Uganda’s history… He still has projects to complete for Adjumani people, including pushing for municipal status and improving roads and health centres.”
Mr Gabu Amacha, Gen Ali’s campaign task force chair
According to Mr Amacha, Gen Ali’s resume speaks for itself. From his first Cabinet post in 1973 to decades of ministerial roles spanning finance, youth, trade, internal affairs, and disaster preparedness, his experience, they argue, is unmatched.
Though rarely seen physically on the campaign trail, the General has been engaging the public via his campaign team and assistants. At one event, he even danced to show off his physical ability, seemingly to silence doubters.
Reactions in Adjumani are mixed. Some hail him as a hero whose experience can still transform the region. Others say it’s time he steps aside and enjoys retirement with dignity.
“He’s done a lot for Madi. His experience can still help us.”
Mr Abdul Amanya, Adjumani resident
“He is now old. Let him rest. The government can still use him in an advisory role without contesting again,”
Ms Margret Joan, Adjumani resident
Despite strong sentiments from critics, Gen Ali’s team says this will be his last term in elective politics. The NRM primaries are expected to be a tight race between Gen Ali and Nixon Owole, with two other candidates, Santos Adrawa and Moses Kibrai, also in the contest.
Born on April 5, 1939, Gen Moses Ali is a political giant in Uganda’s post-independence history. A former finance minister under Idi Amin, he later led a rebel movement, UNRF, before reconciling with President Museveni in 1986. He integrated his fighters into the army and climbed the ranks to full General by 2012.
From exile to Cabinet and battlefield to Parliament, Gen Ali’s legacy remains controversial but undeniably powerful.
