Veteran politician and long-serving Adjumani West MP, General Moses Ali, has declared he will not hand over his parliamentary seat to any of his children, stressing that leadership must be earned, not inherited.
Speaking from his residence in Abiricaku over the weekend, shortly after securing the NRM flag bearer slot for the 2026 general elections, Gen. Ali emphasized that his political journey was built through struggle and merit—not privilege.
“I fought my way into politics; no one handed it to me,” he said. “Adjumani West is not a monarchy. If any of my children want to join politics, they should work for it the way I did.”
Gen. Ali pointed out that while his children are highly educated—with five of them holding law degrees—he believes they should establish their own political credentials. He made special mention of his daughter, Aisha Ali, who is currently pursuing a PhD at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
The seasoned legislator also reflected on a pivotal moment in Uganda’s political history—the 1983 rebellion. He admitted to making a costly blunder by delaying his troops’ advance toward Kampala, which ultimately allowed President Yoweri Museveni to gain the upper hand.
That miscalculation, according to Gen. Ali, dashed his opportunity to potentially become Uganda’s president. He recalled that Libya’s late leader, Col. Muammar Gaddafi, who had supplied him with weapons, was deeply frustrated by the failed attempt.
Following that, Gen. Ali claims Col. Gaddafi compelled the young Museveni to sign an agreement ensuring that Ali would be part of the new government—a deal that Museveni honored until the general’s retirement from key positions.
Despite his history and influence, Gen. Ali maintains that Uganda’s future leaders must rise based on ability, not legacy.
“Politics is about serving the people, not family entitlement,” he concluded. “Let the people of Adjumani choose their leaders based on merit.”
Apparently, Moses Ali’s message sends a clear signal against political dynasties and reinforces the call for generational leadership earned through service and dedication.
