How Gen. Moses Ali Continues to Wobble On and Win despite Crippling Old Age

Once a stern commander of the Uganda National Rescue Front I (UNRF I) and a key figure in the historical ties between Uganda and the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, General Moses Ali remains a beacon of hope for the people of West Nile and Uganda at large.

Revered as “The Cock of Madi” and considered living history in the region, Gen. Moses Ali continues to serve in the government of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) as the First Deputy Prime Minister.
Having joined the government in the early 1970s and held various senior positions over the decades, Gen. Ali faced one of the lowest points in his political journey when he lost his parliamentary seat to the relatively unknown Santos Mulago during the 2011 general elections. He, however, made a strong comeback in 2016, reclaiming the Adjumani West seat—a position he has now held to date.
During the recent NRM party primaries, the frail health of Gen. Ali became a subject of national debate. As he picked his nomination forms, NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Tanga Odoi had to nominate him from his vehicle, as the retired general was unable to walk or speak unaided.

This sparked widespread public concern and criticism on social media, with many calling for his retirement. Despite this, Gen. Ali launched his campaign and has attracted hundreds to his rallies, contesting alongside three opponents.

His rivals in the race include Santos Adrawa, contesting for the third time after two failed attempts; Moses Kibria, who ran as an independent in the 2021 elections but has since joined the NRM; and Nickson Owole, a former Adjumani LC5 Chairperson turned Resident District Commissioner (RDC). Owole, who was transferred from Moroto to Pakwach, resigned on May 7th this year to join the NRM primaries in Adjumani District.
Despite mounting competition and visible frailty, Gen. Ali has continued to attract crowds to his rallies, relying heavily on the support of his assistants and UPDF bodyguards. Political activist Beatrice Anzoo, based in Adjumani West, attributes this support partly to curiosity—many people want to see Gen. Ali physically to confirm rumors about his condition. Others, she claims, are drawn by the money reportedly distributed at his campaign events.
According to local reports, Gen. Ali has disbursed UGX 1 million to each of the 233 villages in Adjumani District since the start of the primaries. While his exact health condition remains undisclosed, Gen. Ali, through his aides, has insisted he is fit to continue representing the people of Adjumani West and intends to complete projects he initiated in the constituency.
“He even has a campaign song that many of his supporters enjoy, and that’s why people keep following him,” says Janet Apili, a resident of Adjumani Town. As the NRM primary campaigns draw to a close, the contest between Gen. Ali and his challengers remains intense. Some locals have expressed concern for the general’s well-being should he lose the election scheduled for Thursday.
During the recent commemoration of 22 years of peace in the West Nile, presided over by President Yoweri Museveni in Yumbe District, Gen. Moses Ali appeared visibly frail yet endured sitting through the six-hour-long ceremony. Notably, President Museveni has not publicly commented on Gen. Ali’s deteriorating health, leaving many wondering about the future of one of Uganda’s most enduring political figures.