Hon. Ssenyonyi akolokose gavumenti mu kusiibula Gen. Moses Ali, alaze byekola ng'omugenzi tabyagala

[00:00:03]Thank you, Right Honorable Speaker.

[00:00:09]Right Honorable Speaker and colleagues, today we convene to pay tribute to General Moses Ali, a man whose life reads like the history of Uganda itself.

[00:00:22]He served in the colonial army as a young man, rose to become one of General Idi Amin's most trusted ministers, and later took up arms as a rebel leader before accepting amnesty and returning to national life.

[00:00:38]General Ali devoted over five decades of his life to public service.

[00:00:44]Throughout that long journey, he served Uganda in various capacities as a soldier, a member of parliament, a cabinet minister in several portfolios, First Deputy Prime Minister, Second Deputy Prime Minister, and Leader of Government of Government Business.

[00:01:02]He remained a central figure in Uganda's public affairs for many years.

[00:01:07]The late General Moses Ali belonged to a generation of leaders that witnessed and indeed participated in some of the most defining moments in Uganda's history.

[00:01:19]Through periods of political transition, conflict, reconstruction, and nation building.

[00:01:26]His longevity in public service also meant that he mentored and worked alongside several generations of leaders.

[00:01:33]Many members of this house today have differed with him politically, but they undoubtedly learned valuable lessons from his experience, his institutional memory, and understanding of the evolution of our nation.

[00:01:49]That wealth of experience deserves acknowledgement [snorts] and respect.

[00:01:58]Public service is one of the noblest callings.

[00:02:01]It demands sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.

[00:02:06]The late Moses Ali answered that call for much of his life.

[00:02:10]And for that that he deserves our respect and gratitude.

[00:02:14]He belonged to the NRM.

[00:02:17]And I belong to the National Unity Platform NUP.

[00:02:21]But I respected him even though we differed politically.

[00:02:28]I didn't even agree with the idea of him running for office again yet he was unwell and needed to take a break.

[00:02:37]But I still give him his flowers for the service that he rendered this nation over the years.

[00:02:43]Right honorable speaker and colleagues, his passing however also invites invites us to reflect on an important national conversation.

[00:02:53]Death reminds all of us that beyond our different political parties, ideologies, and contests, we are all temporary custodians of public office.

[00:03:06]None of us is a permanent fixture in this world.

[00:03:10]And no position or status we hold is everlasting.

[00:03:14]So while we hold office, may we cause positive impact.

[00:03:19]May we be diligent leaders.

[00:03:23]Let us respect the rule of law and the people of Uganda whom we serve.

[00:03:28]As we mourn the late General Moses Ali, may this occasion renew our collective commitment to selfless leadership, accountable governance, and service above self.

[00:03:39]Let us strive to leave behind institutions that are stronger than we found them and a country that is better because we had the privilege to serve.

[00:03:50]We welcome the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces who joined us earlier for this tribute session.

[00:03:58]I would like to urge him to prevail over the various security entities to observe the law and respect the law as they do their work.

[00:04:09]The 1995 Constitution is a brainchild of the NRM government.

[00:04:17]We need to respect that Constitution.

[00:04:20]General Moses Ali was a believer in the rule of law.

[00:04:24]And that's why he gave up armed rebellion and then served in our national army.

[00:04:31]Anyone, whether a leader or an ordinary citizen, can be suspected by the state to have committed any offense.

[00:04:38]But they ought to be apprehended as the law stipulates.

[00:04:42]Detained in a gazetted detention facility.

[00:04:46]And produced in court within 48 hours.

[00:04:49]Lately, right honorable speaker and colleagues, people are abducted, taken for days, weeks, and even months.

[00:04:57]Sometimes they are tortured.

[00:04:59]Their family does not know their whereabouts.

[00:05:02]And they are not produced in court.

[00:05:05]This is not right.

[00:05:06]And we must collectively condemn it.

[00:05:12]On behalf of the opposition, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late right honorable General Moses Ali, the people of Adjuman, the Muslim faith which he professed, the Nubian community which he loved dearly.

[00:05:29]His friends and colleagues, and all Ugandans who mourn his passing.

[00:05:34]May they find comfort in the years he dedicated to serving this our country.

[00:05:39]May God grant General Moses Ali eternal rest and comfort his family in this very trying time.

[00:05:46]For God and my country.