Uganda’s 86-year-old Decorated Military Man Gen Moses Ali Re-elected As Member of Parliament

Uganda’s first Deputy Prime Minister, General Moses Ali, has successfully retained his seat as the Adjumani West Member of Parliament in the 2026 elections. ‎Gen Ali, contesting on President Yoweri Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, defeated three other candidates to reclaim the constituency seat. According to the Adjumani District Electoral Commission registrar, Christine Acai, Gen Ali garnered 12,854 votes, outpacing opposition contenders. Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Patrick Tandrupasi came second with 11,770 votes, while independent candidate Gasper Draga polled 522 and National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Stephen Lyo trailed with 293 votes. ‎ ‎The 86-year-old veteran politician, whose career spans decades in both Uganda’s military and political arenas, has served in multiple government roles, including as Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament. He first entered Uganda’s political landscape more than 20 years ago and has long been a dominant figure in the West Nile region. Gen. Ali’s re-election follows a closely watched NRM primary in which he retained the party flag, securing 8,609 votes against his closest rival, Nixon Owole, who received 4,492 votes. His campaign emphasised completing key infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a bridge at Laropi over the Nile, upgrading health facilities, tarmacking major roads, and improving water and electricity access in rural areas.‎ ‎Despite his victory, his candidacy has been the subject of public debate. Activists, including human rights defender Ssuuna James Kiggala, petitioned Constitutional Court to nullify his nomination, citing concerns about his advanced age and frail health and arguing that such conditions render him constitutionally unfit to represent his constituents effectively. ‎Gen Ali’s supporters, however, maintain that he remains capable of serving and point to his long record of service and continued grassroots support in Adjumani West. **General Moses Ali’s Early Life and Education** General Moses Ali was born on April 5, 1939, in the present-day Adjumani District, northern Uganda. He began his formal education at Erepi Church of Uganda, where he completed his Primary Leaving Examination in 1957. He later joined Church of Uganda Junior Secondary School, earning a Junior School Certificate in 1959. Also Read: Museveni Secures Seventh Term with Landslide Victory Ali then enrolled at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School in 1964, where he obtained a General Certificate of Education in 1966. In 2003, he obtained a Certificate of Higher Education in Law from the University of Wolverhampton. He joined Makerere University in 2003 and pursued a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), graduating in 2007. In 2008, he earned a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre. In 2015, he graduated with a Master of Arts in Intelligence Studies from the American Military University. **Military Career** Moses Ali joined the Uganda Army in the late 1960’s, a period when Uganda was sliding into political instability. His military training was extensive and to international standards because he not only trained, but also studied. In 1968, Ali underwent Officer Cadet training in Israel, followed by Paratrooper Instructors training in 1969 and a Company Commanders Course in 1970, also in Israel. He later attended the prestigious Camberley Staff College in the United Kingdom in 1972, earning the Passed Staff College (PSC) qualification. In 1969, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and appointed Officer in Charge of Training at the Uganda Paratrooper School. His rise was swift. By 1971, he had been promoted to Major and appointed Commander of the Paratrooper School, and in 1972, he attained the rank of Colonel. In 1973, he was appointed Minister of Provincial Administration (Interior) under President Idi Amin. During this period, he received several military decorations, including the Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, and Operational and Republic Medals. He was promoted to Brigadier in 1974, marking the peak of his active military command during the Idi Amin era. Decades later, in recognition of his long service, Ali was promoted to Lieutenant General in 2003 and later elevated to Four-Star General in 2012, making him one of the highest-ranking officers in Uganda’s history. Also Read: The Story of Bobi Wine, Ugandan Musician Eyeing the Presidential Seat for Second Time **Political Career and Government Service** After the fall of Idi Amin and years of political transition, Ali joined politics and national leadership under President Yoweri Museveni. In 1986, he was appointed Minister of Youth, Culture, and Sports. He was elected to the National Resistance Council (NRC) in 1989, representing East Moyo. He went on serving in several cabinet positions, including: Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities Minister of Finance Minister of Internal Affairs Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees. In 1996, he was elected Member of Parliament for East Moyo, a seat he has retained through successive elections in the Moyo-Adjumani region. Ali has served as Second Deputy Prime Minister in multiple administrations, including: First Deputy Prime Minister in 2003 Third Deputy Prime Minister from 2011 to 2016 Second Deputy Prime Minister from 2013 to 2016 First Deputy Prime Minister from 2016 to 2021. Before the 2026 Uganda General elections, he served as Second Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.