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The man behind the general

Left,Gen. Moses Ali after his promotion. Right, the borehole in his compound. File Photos.

What you need to know:

Determination coupled with confidence, hard work and the fear of Allah, as well as respect for people regardless of their political and social attachment has earned General Moses Ali who is the Member of Parliament for East Moyo constituency and deputy leader of Government business in Parliament, what he has termed as “a deserved position both in the political wing and in the military”, where he confessed that he has successfully served in diverse positions.

His home is renown in Adjumani District, if only for the interesting name of his village, “Abiricaku” locally translated as “hunger can’t reach this area”.

The village, which is located some 200 metres away from the heart of Adjumani town, along Adjumani-Gulu Road, I later learn, got its name, because of the warm reception his family offers to all sorts of visitors coming from within the region including outsiders.

His home is a haven for relatives, in- laws and friends, who come by very often, not only for guidance but material assistance too. Not exactly the chapter an orphan peasant child would have imagined as part of his life story. But today, at 73, General Moses Ali’s life story reads like a book of possibilities.

Only a few months ago, the Third Deputy Premier was awarded his practicing certificate from The Law Development Centre and two months ago, he was promoted from Lt General, to General, making him one of Uganda’s six generals. After fulfilling his childhood dream of joining legal practice, an exhilarated Gen Ali said at an interview that his legal knowledge would make him a better debater in the House, as a deputy leader of government business never mind that he first went to law school in 2003.

He believes that the vast knowledge he has attained over the years will also help him write his own life story for the young generation to remember. “Unlike other leaders who have not written books in their names, for my case, I have plans already in the pipeline to write a book which will act as a legacy. When I pass on, the young generation can still remember me and my achievements,” he said.

The rags past
Born on April 5, 1939 at Meliaderi village, Ataboo parish, Pakelle Sub-county in Adjumani District, Gen. Moses Ali lost both his parents, Wani Loke and Dusman Dore when he was barely 11 years old.

“Life was not easy, especially right after the demise of my beloved parents, but as an intelligent child I quickly organised myself and believed that yes, under the care of my maternal uncle Ramadan Wani (RIP) I could still endure even if bad situations turn to be worse”

And thus was the determination, coupled with the fact that his relatives’ poor background, could not have them take chances, which saw him strive to make good grades. It was not always easy though, he reminiscences about working in other people’s gardens to be able to afford school requirements. Once, he forfeited an academic year because he didn’t have school fees.

“Looking for money when I was out of school has not stopped me from achieving my dreams because my primary intention was to be a better person so that I could help fellow citizens out of biting poverty, since I know how bad it feels to be poor,” he says confidently.

While he plans to leave his footprints in form of a book, residents in his village believe that an unforgettable story has already been told through his association with them. Right from the seemingly small effort to change lives, like being courteous, to the more personal things like paying hospital bills, providing food for the hungry and fulfilling his political role of being instrumental in provision of social services, he has made a mark.

Driven by generosity and honesty
Welcoming, determined and jolly is the description of his character, by his cousin Ayubu Sebbe, 58. “When he moves around the village, he often returns home with chicken given as gifts by friends, because of his social nature,” Sebbe reveals. For his childhood friend and neighbour Noah Rajub, 71, it is Gen. Ali’s spiritual contribution that stands out.

“He contributed towards the opening of Taqua Mosque which serves the six villages of Forua, Abiricaku, Minia, Centra II, Karoko and Biyaya, and Bezza Al-hiji Secondary School,” he says of the premier whose contribution to the Muslim community is well documented. The secondary school and the Mosque are both located near his home in Abiricaku.

A strong believer in the Islamic faith, Gen Ali attended Madarasa classes to study the Quran and was later retained as an instructor for young learners in the 50s. “I believe in one Allah and I know that there will be a judgment day before God for every one of us to account for the earthly deeds,” Gen. Ali says. He attributes his rise through the ranks in the military to his fear for Allah which makes him endeavor to be honest in his dealings.

“I have never been a liar in my life, I don’t know where and when I have ever lied. I work on the principle of respect your creator and the prophets including the leaders in various capacities,” he said.

The woman councilor of Pakelle sub-county Josephin Atoo, who has been on the district council for over 10 years, describes the general as a visionary leader who is interested in development of the district and Uganda as a country.
“He is a very good leader who has mentored a good number of us into civilised politicians”. She added that Ali has never avenged his challengers, even after his defeat during the subsequent elections, because he practices mature politics which has earned him his current parliamentary seat.

Juma Obote, the area Local Council I chairperson of Abiricaku village, said, “I have never knew him during his childhood, but my late father who went to school with him told me during his lifetime that Ali was a hardworking pupil at school.”
But perhaps what has become the real symbol of his contribution to his village is a borehole that stands in his eastern compound, which he says was drilled in 1976. The borehole serves about 300 households who fetch water free, only contributing Shs1000 each in case of its break down.

Excited to express her views on the general, Hatima Muhamad, a resident of the area could not help gloat about having an upper hand over women in other villages because of the accessibility of safe water in her village.

“We are blessed to have a sensible leader like Gen Ali in the neighbourhood because he has drilled for us a borehole so that the community here drinks safe water,” she said.

The soft spot he has in the hearts of his community also has a lot to do with his charity work in form of sponsoring students, a thing that can also be attributed to his love for education.

He has sponsored seven primary pupils in each of the villages of Adjumani District as part of his co-operate social responsibility.

“Poverty has made me become a very helpful person that is why I have sponsored several students in secondary level and others at the various public universities,” he says. He has also contributed generously at both domestic and religious functions across Madi sub-region.

A family man
The father of 30 is married to four women but unfortunately one of them died. He describes himself as a loving father who has continuously encouraged his children and close relatives to embrace education so that they are able to fit in the competitive world. “He is a generous husband and he cares for his family members including outsiders and he has been helpful to many people including some prominent young politicians in the region,” said Sarah, one of his wives.

She observed that failure does not mean the end of the world because even after failing to win his parliamentary seat in 2006 he kept on trying new avenues. He was re-elected to parliament in 20011. “He is a brave and hard working person who loves new ideas that is why he has not rebelled against the government, even when he was jailed in the past,” she adds.

Indeed, in losing his seat to Santos Ewruga, Gen. Ali found a new life as a farmer, reawakening a passion for ranching which he had fallen in love with in 1974. He had 4,500 head of cattle then at his Esia Mixed Farm, before he went into exile. On his return, he had only 350. Nonetheless, he says these helped him make ends meet and look after his family as he also pursued his law studies.

Walking through the valleys
The former teacher at Kiotch Goma Church of Uganda Primary School and Anaka Catholic Girls School joined the army in 1968. He was commissioned to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant a year later, and in 1971 was promoted two ranks ahead to Major General. He kept rising through the ranks only being a brigadier for 29 years, before becoming a Lt General in 2003. His military career has seen three of Uganda’s presidents, Idi Amin, Milton Obote and the incumbent Yoweri Museveni. He is also known to have led the Uganda National Rescue Front in an armed rebellion during Milton Obote’s second regime.

First elected to represent East Moyo County in the Constituency Assembly in 1994, General Ali has held many portfolios over the years. However, his military and political career has not been without challenges. In 1990, he was charged with treason, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms at the Buganda Road District court and remanded to Luzira.

He was convicted in 1991 of illegal possession of firearms and sentenced to two and a half years in prison but was acquitted two months later. On the charge of treason, he was committed to the High Court for trial and remanded to Upper Prison, Luzira and acquitted five months later. He says he has put the past behind him and strives to serve his country. However, he is quick to say the support of the people West Nile region cannot be undermined for all the achievements he has made. “The cooperation and the trust the people in the region have accorded me during good and bad times cannot be taken for granted,” he says.

The burly general is a long distance runner who loves playing golf. He takes pride in his passion for discovering new things and being enthusiastic to learn.

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His journey

1969 Commissioned to the rank of 2nd Lt and appointed Officer
in charge of Training in the Uganda Paratrooper School
1971 Promoted to the rank of Major and appointed Commander
of the Paratrooper School
1972 Promoted to the rank of Colonel
1973 Appointed Minister of Provincial administration (interior)
And was decorated with the following medals
Distinguished Service Order
Military Cross
Operational and Republic Medals
1974 Promoted to the rank of Brigadier
1975 Appointed Minister of Finance
1986 Appointed Minister Youth, Culture and Sports
1989 Elected National Resistance Council Member (NRC) East Moyo
1994 Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities
1995 Appointed 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities
1996 Elected Member of Parliament – Adjumani District
1996 Appointed 2nd Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Tourism Trade and Industry
2000 Appointed 2nd Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of InternalAffairs
2001 Re-elected Member of Parliament East Moyo Constituency
2001 Re-appointed 2nd Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees
2003 Promoted to the rank of lieutenant General.
Appointed 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees
2011 Appointed 3rd Deputy Prime Minister/Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
2012 Promoted to the rank of General

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ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
1957 Erepi Church of Uganda Primary School
1958 Church of Uganda Junior Sec
1964-66 Old Kampala S.S.S
1968 Cadet training in Israel
1970 Company Commanders Course in Israel
1972 Camberly Staff College, UK PSC
2003 Attended University of Wolverhampton for Certificate of Higher Educ. in Law
2003-2007 Makerere University Kampala for a degree in Law
2007 joined Law Development Centre- Kampala for a Diploma in Legal Practice which he got early this year.