Gen. Moses Ali's Family Denies Endorsement in Adjumani West By-election

The family of the late former Second Deputy Prime Minister and long-serving Adjumani West MP, Gen. Moses Ali, has issued a statement clarifying its position on the upcoming parliamentary by-election. The family asserts that it has not officially endorsed any individual, whether a family member or otherwise, to contest for the seat that was left vacant by Gen. Ali’s passing on July 18.

This clarification comes amidst the ongoing preparations for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries, scheduled for September 3, to select their flag bearer. Among the seven aspirants who have picked nomination forms is Mr. Kassim Ali, one of Gen. Ali’s sons.

Speaking on behalf of the family, spokesperson Mr. Ismail Ali stated that the family remains in a period of mourning and has not adopted any political stance or offered support to any candidate. “We trust and believe that the people of Adjumani will use wisdom and good judgment in selecting the best candidate to represent them in Parliament,” Ismail Ali added.

However, Mr. Kassim Ali has dismissed the family’s statement, attributing the divergence to internal family disagreements. He emphasized that family endorsement is not a constitutional prerequisite for parliamentary candidacy. Sources indicate that the family had previously advised Kassim to postpone his political ambitions to allow for more consultation and grassroots base building.

Despite the internal friction, Kassim Ali has been officially nominated for the competitive NRM primary, which includes several other prominent local leaders. The situation also brings to light a recurring pattern in Ugandan politics where deceased MPs are often succeeded by close relatives, a precedent hinted at by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa during Gen. Ali’s burial.

The family’s immediate focus remains on spiritual obligations, with arrangements underway for the 40th-day prayers for the late General.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)