Too Weak to Step Out, 86-year-old Moses Ali Nominated Inside Car as Health Fears Grow

By Aggrey Baba
Veteran legislator and Second Deputy Prime Minister, Gen Moses Ali has officially been nominated to contest in the NRM party primaries for Adjumani West County. However, the 86-year-old leader did not step out of his vehicle, raising concern about his health and physical ability to campaign.

The nomination exercise, conducted at the NRM Electoral Commission offices in Kampala on Tuesday, attracted attention after the retired General remained seated inside his grey Prado, visibly weak and struggling to breathe, as party officials handled the process on his behalf.

Dr Tanga Odoi, the NRM Electoral Commission Chairman walked to the vehicle, received the nomination documents, returned to his office to endorse them, and later came back to declare Ali duly nominated as a flagbearer.

Moses Ali, one of the longest-serving politicians in Uganda, did not speak to journalists and made no public appearance beyond the brief moment in the car. His frail condition has sparked public debate, with some questioning whether the veteran leader is still fit to hold office.

Born in 1939 in Adjumani District, Moses Ali has served in various capacities, starting as a military officer during Idi Amin’s regime, where he rose to become Finance Minister.

He later became a rebel leader in the early 1980s, leading the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), before reconciling with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) under President Museveni, and he has since served in Parliament, the Cabinet, and the UPDF, where he holds the rank of General.

He currently serves as MP for Adjumani West, a seat he has held since 2011. His support base in West Nile remains strong, especially among the Madi community, many of whom regard him as a father figure and protector of their interests.

While some supporters have hailed his experience and loyalty to the party, others (especially younger voters) have questioned the wisdom of fielding a candidate in visibly poor health.

So far, the NRM leadership has not issued any official comment about Gen Ali’s health or whether provisions will be made to support his campaign.

Party insiders say there had been informal discussions about a possible retirement, but the General insisted on contesting, and no one was willing to block him given his historical role in the party.

With the NRM primaries expected to take place next month, it is not yet clear how the frail General will participate in the campaigns or if he will physically travel to Adjumani to meet voters.

His nomination, however, has now been confirmed, and unless he withdraws or is disqualified, the legislator will appear on the ballot.