Name of leader Moses Ali
Organization UNRF – Uganda National Rescure Front
Conflict country Uganda
Gender Male
Year of birth 1939[1]
Place of birth Meliaderi, Atabo Parish in Pakele Division in Adjumani District, Uganda[2]
Year of death N/A
Deceased
No, there is no evidence he has died.
Birth order
His birth order is unknown.
Age at start of rebel leadership
In 1979, so age 40.[3]
Leader entry method
He was the founder.[4]
Powersharing
No, there is no evidence of powersharing.
Education (also name universities attended, if any); note any relevant experiences while a student
He “went to Adjumani Muslim Primary School (1951-1954), Pakele Church of Uganda Primary School (1955-1956), Erepi Church of Uganda Primary School (1957), Church of Uganda Junior Secondary School Nyangilia at Koboko (1958-1959).
He later went to Teso College Aloet (1962), Busega SSS (1963), Old Kampala SSS (1964-1966).” [5]“After completing his Ordinary Level Certificate at Old Kampala Senior Secondary School in 1966, Brig. Ali undertook a number of military training courses as a Cadet officer, Paratrooper Instructor in Uganda and Company Commanders Course in Israel. In 1972, Brig. Ali enrolled in Staff College at Camberly in UK where he earned a Degree in Military Science.”[6] He decided to get a law degree in 2003, after already having been leader (technically does not count for Education since came after he was leader).[7]
Ever married? If yes, age of first marriage
Yes, he is married.[8]
Children
Yes, he has children.[9]
Religious identification
He is Muslim.[10]
Elite Family background
His family background is unknown.
Political affiliations and intellectual circles; note any relevant social connections made
Yes, he was politically connected with Amin which allowed him to be appointed to the Ugandan government.[11]
Physical and mental health
No, there is no evidence of poor physical or mental health.
Pre-militant leader occupation
He had a military career.[12]
Experience in a state military, and role; any relevant social ties
Yes, “Brig. Ali was commissioned in 1969 to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and appointed Officer-in-Charge of Training in the Uganda Paratrooper School. In 1971, he was promoted to the rank of Major and appointed Commandant of the Paratrooper School. Later in 1972, Brig. Ali was promoted to the rank of Colonel.
In 1973, he was appointed Minister of Provincial Administration and in 1974 he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier. Brig. Ali is decorated with three medals.”[13]
Experience in a nonstate military, and role; any relevant social ties
Yes, he took part in the 1971 coup against then President Milton Obote.[14]
Combat experience prior to assuming resistance organization leadership?
Yes, as noted above.
Held government position prior to assuming leadership?
Yes, in 1975 he was the finance minister and head of government founded Islamic charity.[15] He also was a Minister and had a position related to Provincial Administration in 1973.[16]
Lived in exile?
Yes, he fled in the late 1970s as he was being blamed by Amin for embezzling.[17]
Study abroad?
Yes, he studied in the United Kingdom and Israel.[18]
Did the leader receive military training abroad?
Yes, he studied in Israel.[19]
Did the leader have extensive work experience abroad?
No, there is no evidence he had extensive work experience abroad.
Serve time in prison? Social connections during that time?
No, he was likely no longer leader when these events happened. “In April 1990, Ali was arrested on treason and terrorism charges. He underwent trial until January 1991, when he was sentenced to two-and-a half years in prison. He was released in June 1992.”[20]
Was there an assassination attempt on the leader by the state?
No, there is no evidence of an assassination attempt by the state.
Cause of Death?
N/A
Primary language, and other languages spoken as adult
He likely spoke Swahili as his primary language as well as English.[21]
[1] Image Credit: https://observer.ug/images/Moses-Ali---2nd-PM.jpg
(For non-commercial use, all credits belong to the original owners, please contact for removal)
“Uganda: Brigadier Moses Ali,” refworld, November 9, 2000, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4beb910.html
[2] “Uganda: Brigadier Moses Ali,” refworld, November 9, 2000, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4beb910.html.
[3] Carol Natukunda, “Amin played Moses Ali against Yusuf Gowon,” NewVision, April 24, 2013, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1317940/amin-played-moses-ali-yusuf-gowon.
[4] Carol Natukunda, “Amin played Moses Ali against Yusuf Gowon,” NewVision, April 24, 2013, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1317940/amin-played-moses-ali-yusuf-gowon.
[5] “Moses Ali to study law,” NewVision, October 17, 2003, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1258102/moses-ali-study-law.
[6] “Uganda: Brigadier Moses Ali,” refworld, November 9, 2000, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4beb910.html.
[7] “Moses Ali to study law,” NewVision, October 17, 2003, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1258102/moses-ali-study-law.
[8] “Moses Ali to study law,” NewVision, October 17, 2003, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1258102/moses-ali-study-law.
[9] “Moses Ali to study law,” NewVision, October 17, 2003, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1258102/moses-ali-study-law.
[10] “Wars may limit relief to Muslims-Moses Ali,” NewVision, January 5, 2004, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1109709/wars-limit-relief-muslims-moses-ali.
[11] Carol Natukunda, “Amin played Moses Ali against Yusuf Gowon,” NewVision, April 24, 2013, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1317940/amin-played-moses-ali-yusuf-gowon.
[12] “Uganda: Brigadier Moses Ali,” refworld, November 9, 2000, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4beb910.html.
[13] “Uganda: Brigadier Moses Ali,” refworld, November 9, 2000, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4beb910.html.
[14] Carol Natukunda, “Amin played Moses Ali against Yusuf Gowon,” NewVision, April 24, 2013, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1317940/amin-played-moses-ali-yusuf-gowon.
[15] Carol Natukunda, “Amin played Moses Ali against Yusuf Gowon,” NewVision, April 24, 2013, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1317940/amin-played-moses-ali-yusuf-gowon.
[16] “Biography of Moses Ali,” Parliament of Uganda, Accessed September 17, 2017, https://web.archive.org/web/20150924064500/http://www.parliament.go.ug/mpdata/mps.hei?p=f&n=t&details=t&j=13&const=East+Moyo+County&dist_id=36&distname=Adjumani.
[17] Carol Natukunda, “Amin played Moses Ali against Yusuf Gowon,” NewVision, April 24, 2013, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1317940/amin-played-moses-ali-yusuf-gowon.
[18] “Uganda: Brigadier Moses Ali,” refworld, November 9, 2000, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4beb910.html.
[19] “Uganda: Brigadier Moses Ali,” refworld, November 9, 2000, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4beb910.html.
[20] Carol Natukunda, “Amin played Moses Ali against Yusuf Gowon,” NewVision, April 24, 2013, Accessed September 17, 2017, http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1317940/amin-played-moses-ali-yusuf-gowon.
[21] “Languages," Central Intelligence Agency, Accessed July 4, 2020, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/402.html