Balaam Says Museveni Intervened to Help Moses Ali Win Elections

What the report says

Nile Post reports that Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara told Parliament that President Yoweri Museveni stepped in to support the late Gen. Moses Ali when he faced serious electoral pressure in Adjumani. Barugahara made the remarks on Tuesday during a special parliamentary tribute to Ali, the former Second Deputy Prime Minister, who died on Saturday at Nakasero Hospital.

According to the report, Barugahara said Ali had resisted advice to leave elective politics despite concerns about his age and health, saying voters should decide his future. The minister told MPs that Ali was in danger of losing the NRM nomination in Adjumani District to younger challengers before Museveni asked him to help Ali’s campaign. Barugahara also said Museveni sent him back to Adjumani shortly before the general election, after which Ali retained the Adjumani West parliamentary seat.

The tribute also included personal recollections. Barugahara described Ali as a mentor and said the veteran politician had encouraged him to support a bridge project linking Moyo and Adjumani districts. He urged Ugandans to honour national leaders while they are still alive, rather than waiting until after their deaths.

Nile Post’s background account notes that Ali, born in Adjumani in 1939 and widely known as the “Cock of Madi,” served in senior government and military-linked roles across several political eras. He was Finance Minister under Idi Amin, later led the Uganda National Rescue Front, and after a peace deal with Museveni’s government became part of Uganda’s post-conflict reconciliation process. His body was expected to be taken to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds before burial in Adjumani.