President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has described the late Gen. Moses Ali as a “wise man and patriot”, saying the former Adjumani West legislator understood that Uganda’s politics should be centred on prosperity rather than tribal and religious divisions.
Museveni made the remarks on Tuesday, September 15, after visiting Ali’s grave at Taqwa Mosque in Adjumani, where he laid a wreath and paid tribute to the former minister and long-serving politician.
“I spent the day in Adjumani, where I first paid my respects to our brother, the late Gen. Moses Ali, at his grave,” Museveni said in a statement posted on his official social media account.
“I paid tribute to him as a wise man and patriot who understood that Uganda’s politics must be about prosperity, not tribe and religion.”
Ali, who represented Adjumani West for several years, died earlier this year, leaving the parliamentary seat vacant and prompting a by-election scheduled for September 17, 2026. The contest has been reduced to NRM candidate James Leku Pilli and independent candidate Jasper Draga following the withdrawal of other candidates.
Museveni’s tribute came as he campaigned for Leku ahead of the by-election, urging residents to maintain unity.
“I also called on our people to remain united,” he said.
The President linked Ali’s political philosophy to his own emphasis on economic transformation, arguing that development should ultimately translate into increased household wealth.
“We have brought roads, electricity, schools and health centres to Adjumani, but there is a difference between development and wealth,” Museveni said.
He urged residents to use government programmes to improve household incomes, specifically citing the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
“Our people must use this development to create wealth in their homes through PDM, Emyooga & other government programs,” he said.
Museveni also called on voters to support Leku, the NRM candidate, saying this would enable the government to continue its development programmes in the constituency.
“On September 17th, I urge the people of Adjumani to vote James Leku Pilli, the NRM candidate, so that we can continue the work of transforming Adjumani together,” he said.
His visit to Ali’s grave formed part of his campaign programme in Adjumani West, where he later addressed supporters at Paridi Stadium in Adjumani Town Council.
Ali’s death has brought his long political career back into focus as voters prepare to choose his successor. His former political colleagues have also invoked his legacy in calls for unity in the constituency.
Former independent candidate Ben Anyama, who withdrew from the race and endorsed Leku, said he had joined the NRM in 1986 alongside Ali and called on residents to put past political differences aside.
The Adjumani West by-election is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026.
