How Moses Ali emerged as UNRF I Leader

What the report says

The Independent Uganda, citing URN, reports that retired Maj. Gen. Emilio Mondo used the burial of Gen. Moses Ali in Adjumani to recount how Ali became leader of the Uganda National Rescue Front I (UNRF I). Mondo said former soldiers and leaders met in Yei, South Sudan, after many people from West Nile had fled to refugee camps following the collapse of Idi Amin’s government. At that meeting, convened by the late Gen. Mustafa Adrisi, Ali reportedly argued that an armed force was needed to create conditions for refugees to return home.

According to Mondo, those present chose Ali to lead the new movement because he had put forward the idea and showed readiness to direct the effort. Mondo said Ali was then asked to seek weapons and other support through contacts from his years in government, and credited his leadership with helping keep the rebel organization together. Former minister Obiga Kania, described as one of the remaining members of the UNRF executive, also praised Ali’s role and urged younger people in West Nile to preserve the history of that period.

The burial also revived discussion of promises linked to the peace agreement between the National Resistance Army government and UNRF. In a message read by former intelligence chief and ambassador Phillip Idro, Gen. Caleb Akandwanho, also known as Salim Saleh, said welfare issues raised by Ali on behalf of former UNRF fighters had been addressed, though beneficiary verification was still continuing. Idro also showed letters Ali had written to President Yoweri Museveni and Saleh about ex-combatant compensation, resettlement, frozen bank accounts, roads and electricity.

Ali, who died last week aged 87, later joined government after the peace process and served for decades in senior posts, including Second Deputy Prime Minister.