KAMPALA UGANDA: 21 July 2026— In a solemn tribute delivered to Parliament, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi paid homage to the late Rt. Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Moses Ali, acknowledging his decades of public service while calling on President Yoweri Museveni and state security agencies to uphold the rule of law and end human rights violations.
During a special sitting to pay tribute to the fallen legislator, Ssenyonyi reflected on the former First Deputy Prime Minister’s career, describing him as a historic figure whose public life spanned over five decades. The morning session was presided over by Speaker Rt Hon Marksons Oboth and attended by President Yoweri Museveni.
”Gen. Moses Ali devoted over five decades of his life to public service,” Ssenyonyi stated during his address to Parliament. “He served in the colonial army as a young man, rose to become one of Gen. Idi Amin’s most trusted ministers, and later took up arms as a rebel leader before accepting amnesty and returning to national life.”
Recognizing Gen. Ali’s extensive roles as a soldier, parliamentarian, cabinet minister, and Deputy Leader of Government Business, Ssenyonyi emphasized that while political differences existed between them—noting his own membership in the National Unity Platform (NUP) compared to Gen. Ali’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM)—his contributions and institutional memory deserved respect. He noted that while he had disagreed with Gen. Ali running for office again while unwell, he wished to give him “his flowers for the service he rendered this nation over the years.”
A Call for Accountability and Rule of Law
Transitioning to broader national issues, Ssenyonyi used the occasion of the Commander-in-Chief’s presence to deliver a direct appeal regarding state-led human rights abuses. Pointing to the 1995 Constitution as a creation of the NRM government, the Opposition leader urged the President to ensure security forces adhere strictly to constitutional provisions.
”Gen. Moses Ali was a believer in the rule of law, that’s why he gave up armed rebellion and served in our national army,” Ssenyonyi remarked, using the late general’s legacy to highlight recent grievances.
He raised concerns over reported abductions, prolonged extrajudicial detentions, and instances of torture carried out by security forces:
Due Process: Ssenyonyi noted that any suspect, whether a leader or ordinary citizen, must be apprehended as stipulated by law, held in a gazetted facility, and produced in court within 48 hours.
Abductions: He condemned current trends where individuals are “abducted and taken for days, weeks and even months,” often kept from their families without formal court appearances.
Collective Condemnation: Ssenyonyi reiterated that such practices are illegal and must be collectively condemned.
Concluding his remarks, Ssenyonyi extended his condolences on behalf of the Opposition to Gen. Ali’s family, the people of Adjumani, the Muslim community, and the Nubian community. Reminding colleagues that public servants are “temporary custodians of public trust,” he called on parliamentarians to focus on building stronger, lasting institutions.
Gen Moses Ali’s body is scheduled to be taken to Kololo grounds for public viewing and later airlifted to Adjumani for final send off on Wednesday.
