Adjumani — The Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, has paid tribute to the people of West Nile for nurturing a leader whose service and dedication elevated him into one of Uganda’s most respected statesmen, as Gen. Moses Ali received a state farewell in Adjumani District.
Speaking at the official burial ceremony of Gen. Ali, Babalanda, who chaired the National Organising Committee (NOC) for the state funeral, said the overwhelming turnout, unity and respect demonstrated during the sendoff reflected the deep admiration Ugandans had for the former military commander and veteran public servant.
She described Gen. Ali as a leader whose life was defined by discipline, wisdom, humility and unwavering commitment to Uganda’s progress. According to Babalanda, these values shaped his journey from West Nile into a national figure whose contribution touched different generations and communities across the country.
The Minister commended the people of West Nile for raising a leader whose impact went beyond his home region, saying Gen. Ali’s contribution to peace, stability and development remains part of Uganda’s history. She noted that the love and solidarity shown by Ugandans during his final days reflected the lasting legacy he left behind.
“Today, our nation bids farewell to one of its greatest patriots — a statesman who devoted his whole life to serving Uganda with courage, wisdom and unwavering commitment. The overwhelming love you have shown your ‘Lion Son’ in life and in death is a testimony to the lasting bond he forged with his people,” Babalanda said.
Babalanda also recognised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for granting Gen. Ali an official state burial and for standing with the family throughout the mourning period. She described the bond between the President and the late General as a longstanding relationship built on friendship, brotherhood and decades of national service.
She applauded members of the National Organising Committee, security agencies, local leaders, religious institutions, volunteers and all those who played a role in organising the funeral, saying their commitment ensured Gen. Ali was accorded the honour befitting his contribution to Uganda. She also praised Parliament for holding a special tribute sitting in recognition of his service.
The Minister further honoured Gen. Ali’s colleagues in Cabinet and Parliament for celebrating his patriotism, humility and dedication to the country, while sending condolences to the Muslim community led by the Mufti of Uganda. She described him as a peacemaker, respected statesman and development champion whose passing marked the end of an era.
Gen. Moses Ali, one of Uganda’s longest-serving public servants and a towering figure in the country’s political and military history, was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Adjumani in a state funeral attended by President Museveni, government officials, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of mourners. Babalanda urged Ugandans to keep alive his legacy by embracing unity, hard work and commitment to national service.
